Family Housing
Accompanied personnel reporting to NAS Sigonella have the option to reside in government family housing or off-base in the community (Referral). Within two business days of arrival personnel must check-in at the local Housing Service Center (HSC) for the “First Visit”. The local HSC processes applications, reviews temporary quarters eligibility, and assigns personnel to housing per their eligibility. There are two Family Housing neighborhoods located aboard NAS Sigonella: NAS 1 Hillis Drive for Senior and Flag Officers and “Marinai” for accompanied personnel.
Government-Owned Housing — HILLIS DR.
Units on Hillis Dr are designated for specific positions. For more information about on-base housing for accompanied personnel, including eligibility requirements, visit the CNIC Headquarters Government-Owned Housing page.
Government-LEASED Housing — marinai
Marinai includes 3- & 4-bedroom units for all grade categories. While individual units are designated for certain ranks, the complex is not sub-divided or separated based on rank. The Marinai Satellite Office is located withing the complex to provide support and inspection services. All maintenance, including service calls, is performed by a contractor. Housing is your advocate and you should contact them with any issues.
Government family housing at NAS Sigonella is smaller than family housing in the United States and storage is limited. Our quarters' size average from 1,354 (3-bedroom) to 1,495 (4-bedroom) square feet. Please adjust your household goods shipment accordingly and place non-essential items in non-temporary storage before leaving your duty station.
Family Housing consists of townhouse type quarters with small fenced rear yards. Refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer are provided. Units have central heat and air conditioning, and both 110- & 220-volt outlets. Be advised that Italy's electricity runs on 50 Hz vice 60 Hz in the USA.
Active Duty or Civilian (GS) residents in Marinai do not receive any Housing allowance (BAH, OHA, or LQA) and are not charged rent. Contractors, NAF Civilians, and foreign military residents are required to pay rent.
WAIT LIST
Depending on arrival time frame, government housing may not be immediately available. If appropriate quarters are not available upon arrival, personnel will be placed on a waiting list. When a unit becomes available, the Service Member and family move from temporary quarters to Family Housing on base. Contact the HSC to get the most current wait list information.
PETS
Two pets are allowed in housing (either one cat and one dog or two cats or two dogs). Individual unit back yards are small but the Marinai complex includes two dog parks and two fenced pet open play areas.
Family Housing Photos & Floor Plans
Community Housing
Housing Referral services are available to all eligible military personnel, DoD civilians under a transportation agreement, and DoD contractors with a signed MOA/ISSA. All Unaccompanied E5 and above personnel, including Geo-Bachelors, are required to live in the local community. Any Accompanied personnel have the option to live off-base or in government Family Housing. DoD contractors not serving under a MOA/ISSA are entitled to translation assistance and utility and telephone services on a limited basis. All Personnel who will be required to lease a property from the local community must have a valid tourist or No Fee passport on hand upon arrival at NAS Sigonella.
HSC assists with locating off-base housing in the local area, including:
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Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) and entitlements.
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House hunting tours provide the opportunity to see available private rentals in the community. All listings of available rentals are pre-inspected for suitability and must meet minimum standards for safety and security before a contract may be negotiated through the Housing Department.
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Lease Negotiation: When you obtain your lease through the Housing Department, our staff will verify the presence of the Military Clause and ensure compliance with Italian law. Rents are paid in Euro and typically range between €1,000 and €2,000 per month. Because rents are established in Euro, the equivalency in U.S. currency will fluctuate with the exchange rate.
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Translation Services: Assistance throughout the duration of your tour with all aspects of the unit you occupy, including maintenance service scheduling, utility billing discrepancies, lease amendments, legal advice referrals, and termination services.
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Assistance in arranging for utility contracts (including electricity, water, and gas) and ongoing liaison with utility companies throughout your tour.
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Short-term rental or lease information.
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Temporary Loaner & Full Tour furnishings.
HOME FINDING
HOMES.mil is the only official Department of Defense website dedicated to helping Service Members, families, and civilians find housing. The HSC maintains a current database, that is accessible 24 hours a day, of available off-base community rental properties for homes, apartments, and townhomes. Listings on any other sites or social media have not been inspected or approved for rent by installation personnel.
Units and local communities vary significantly across the Sigonella commuting area. Local communities include rural, small towns, and the large Catania urban area. Environment can range from 700-800 m above sea level on the volcano Etna down to units near the beach. Common unit types include single-family homes (“villas”), townhouse, or apartment building. Note apartment size outside of Catania city rarely exceeds 5-6 floors. Please note that while most tall buildings have elevators, the size is not sufficient to move HHG. Instead, the mover will utilize a crane/lift to bring items in through the windows.
The local community commonly includes apartments, townhomes, and villas (single homes within a fenced perimeter). It is helpful if your sponsor drives you around to see the different areas. Review maps, note distances from base, and ask about availability of school buses and condition of roads near each area in order to make an informed decision. Homes and apartments in Sicily are different and are typically smaller than homes/apartments in the United States. Therefore, you should carefully limit the total weight and items being shipped. You should not ship American appliances (stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers or dryers).
Word-of-mouth among co-workers is a good way to find a house or select an area. However, if you find a house on your own, the landlord will need to provide required documentation to Housing. The unit will also require inspection before a lease can be signed. These required steps add time to the process compared to units already approved on Homes.mil. Only units that meet specific safety and security requirements and standards can be listed as available. Requirements include water reserve tank, independent heating system, light fixtures, at least two (2) A/C units, alarm system, furnished kitchen and bathroom, gas detectors, etc. Most of the properties listed with the Housing Department have heating radiators or split system AC units.
LEASING SERVICES
Following base indoctrination class, you will begin an aggressive search for permanent housing. Locating a new home is the most important step towards enjoying your time in Sicily. Remember that the house you choose is where you will live for the next few years. Be judicious about your choice; if you are uncertain about anything, make it a point to ask questions until you are satisfied with the answers. Generally, you should have a lease contract and a move in date by Day 30-45 after arrival. Housing staff will help you arrange utilities, loaner furniture and household goods deliveries and expect to move within 10-15 days of signing the lease.
Throughout the process, if you are uncertain about anything, ask questions. At the time of the contract signing, you must pay to the landlord the equivalent of two months’ rent in euro (first month’s rent and security deposit). The deposit will be returned to you less any amounts deducted for damages when the lease is terminated.
Leases include the base rent and "condominium fee" to cover landlord expenses outside your unit. The monthly rent will also include a garbage tax the landlord must pay to the local government and other recurring maintenance costs.
Once you sign a lease for an Italian home, you will find it hard to break. Italian law requires you to notify your landlord 6 months in advance of breaking the lease. The contract is a binding legal agreement and is not easily revoked without serious justification. When you receive orders to depart the area, the military clause enables you to provide a notice of 15 days to the landlord.
OVERSEAS HOUSING ALLOWANCE (OHA)
The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is designed to partially offset housing expenses at overseas duty locations when service members live in privately leased housing on the local economy. To start or stop the allowance, documentation (DD Form 2367) is completed by the Housing Office and submitted to your command for processing. The amount of OHA is set in euro and the amount you receive fluctuates with the dollar/euro exchange rate. The Housing Department does not process allowances for civilian or contractor personnel.
OHA consists of three parts: rent allowance, utility and recurring maintenance (URM), and a one-time move-in housing allowance (MIHA). The rent portion of OHA is a reimbursement for actual rent costs, up to a cap based on your rank and whether you are accompanied or unaccompanied. If your rent is above the ceiling, you pay the difference out of your base pay; if your rent is less than the ceiling, your allowance will only include the amount you actually pay.
The URM portion of OHA is added to the rent portion to help pay for utilities and recurring maintenance costs. Residents are expected to perform more maintenance than compared to many locations stateside, and this portion of the allowance covers those costs. In addition, most leases include boiler maintenance and garbage taxes that are reimbursed by the URM portion of OHA. In addition to rent and URM, MIHA is paid once with OHA when the allowance begins. This partially reimburses you for costs related to moving.
More information can be found on the Defense Travel Management Office website.
UTILITY INFORMATION
Electricity and gas service are typically not included in the rent. Electricity usually powers lighting and air conditioning systems and usage is highest in summer. Gas supply often provides cooking and heating supply, and usage is highest in the winter months. Many electric and gas companies bill their customers every other month, so you will need to budget. Meter readings are taken when you move into the house and again at final check-out to ensure you only pay for the correct amounts. In general utility costs are significantly higher than stateside. Be advised the billing from the utility company based on the meter readings cannot be changed by the Housing Department. Housing staff are available to answer your questions and review bills.
Some units have a large fuel tank outside the house to provide the gas supply. Should you select a house/apartment with a tank, you are required to schedule the appointments to have it supplied. In most cases the fuel is more expensive than other homes, but the supply can be VAT-free. This is a key point when house hunting!
The water contract remains under the name of the landlord at all times. The cost of water is subject to variation on the basis of housing areas, cubic meter consumption, and price of water established by the water company. Lease contracts include several types of billing, including direct reimbursement, resident pays over a set amount, and a “lump-sum” or flat fee amount each month.
APPLIANCES & EQUIPMENT
The Housing Service Center (HSC) provides appliances for Unaccompanied Housing, Family Housing, and off-base housing as needed for use throughout your tour. Our services include delivery of all major appliances such as refrigerator, washer, dryer, and microwave. In Unaccompanied Housing and Family Housing the appliances remain in the unit for your use. Please note Unaccompanied Housing includes centralized laundry rooms located elsewhere within the facility. For off-base units, our team will coordinate delivery to your home. Appliances may be electric or gas-heated depending on the space available and utility connections in that unit.
Off-base all Italian electricity is 220 volts, 50HZ. Do not bring your own major appliances. Small appliances will need either a transformer or adapter, depending on if they are dual-voltage. In addition to the appliances, Housing will provide several transformers to off-base residents. Please be advised these will continue to consume electricity if left plugged in, even without a device attached. All personnel must purchase their own adapters.
Contact the HSC for more information.
LOANER FURNITURE
Temporary Loaner Furniture is available on arrival and preceding departure and may be kept for up to 90 days in Family Housing or off-base units. Utilize your unaccompanied baggage shipment to ensure timely arrival of items such as cooking and eating utensils, sheets, blankets, etc. Please note Housing is unable to provide linens to loaner furniture beds in either Family Housing or off-base housing. Temporary Loaner Furniture consists of items such as beds, nightstands, dressers, sofa, armchairs, end tables, lamps, coffee table, dining table, and dining chairs.
Contractors may be eligible for loaner furniture and appliances. Contact the HSC for information.
Unaccompanied Housing
Housing for unaccompanied personnel at NAS Sigonella includes either unaccompanied housing (UH) or housing in the local community. UH accommodations are assigned for all E1 through E4 unaccompanied personnel. Unaccompanied and Geographical Bachelors E5 and above will be required to live in the economy. All arriving E4 personnel should ensure they have a passport prior to arrival in Sigonella.
barracks and dorms
NAS Sigonella UH facilities are located on both bases (NAS 1 & NAS 2) located seven miles apart. Assignment to UH is based on availability and there is no guarantee that residents will live on the same base where they work. The HSC will do their best to accommodate all requests. Due to the standard size of the rooms, Service Members should not ship any Household Goods to Sigonella.
Incoming Service Members or their sponsor are required to contact the Housing Service Center (HSC) in advance to arrange for a "door-to-door" move. Temporary lodging is rare but, if necessary, the Service Member will be entitled to a temporary lodging allowance (TLA) to cover these costs. The HSC (Bldg. 319 NAS 1) serves as the check-in point for all sponsors to coordinate arriving personnel.
Upon UH resident check-in, HSC staff will provide a required orientation briefing to make the arrival process as smooth as possible and help orient our residents to UH program. A complete “Welcome Aboard” package and “Resident Handbook” with pertinent information is provided at check-in.
Accommodations are 1+1 layout with a private bedroom, and shared kitchen and bathroom. Linens are provided in the unit. UH facilities include lounges equipped with televisions, washers and dryers, and vending machines in all buildings. All UH shared kitchens are equipped with microwaves, refrigerators and two-burner induction stovetops. Each sleeping space has a bed, drawers, desk, closet and TV stand. There are also recreational, fitness, dining, religious, educational and other amenities, most located within walking distance of UH. Additional information on base amenities is available in the Welcome Aboard package.
COMMUNITY HOUSING
Please see the Community Housing section under “Family Housing” for additional information about unaccompanied personnel living off-base.
Navy Housing Services
The Navy Housing Service Center (HSC) mission is to provide housing support for all families and unaccompanied personnel moving to or departing from the local area.
Arrival Services:
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Housing needs assessment
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Temporary housing information
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Personalized single-family home, condo and apartment finding assistance
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Provide rental listings
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Maps and directions of local area
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Detailed market information on local areas
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Contract administration services
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Lease review/interpretation
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List of approved housing facilities and real estate agencies
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Landlord information and mediation
Departure Services:
Additional Services:
HOME FINDING
The HSC's trained professionals can help you choose the right housing to meet your needs, whether in government housing, community housing or unaccompanied housing.
HOMES.mil is an official Department of War (DOW) website dedicated to helping Service Members, families and DOW civilians find housing.
COMMUNITY HOUSING
Service Members must check-in with the HSC upon arrival at the installation. The HSC maintains a current database, that is accessible 24 hours a day, of available off-base community rental properties for homes, apartments and townhomes. Housing referral professionals inspect these rental properties for suitability. Additionally, the HSC provides lease review services and is your Navy advocate for you and your family when housing maintenance, health or safety issues arise. For additional information on local community housing, please contact the HSC. Click the family housing tab for more information about community housing.
To list your rental property or update your current listing with the Navy Housing Referral program, visit the CNIC HQ page for HOMES.mil. Additionally, the Navy Housing YouTube page has instructional videos on using HOMES.mil to create a property manager account and add or edit a property.
Issue Resolution
Navy HSCs provide support with issue resolution for customers wherever they choose to live, whether military, privatized, or community housing. Our issue resolution services are provided to both the tenant and landlord free of charge.