Direct Assignment into Government Housing

Effective January 19, 2001, all E1-E9 and O1-O4 service members who are accompanied by family members are being directly assigned into government housing.   Most families will be assigned to quarters immediately upon their arrival in the Naples area.  Offices O5 and above have the option to reside on the local economy or accept a direct assignment to government quarters.  This policy will remain in effect until all government units are occupied.  Telephone inquiries regarding the direct assignment policy or the availability of government housing units may be directed to the Housing Welcome Center (HWC) Assignment Branch at DSN 629-4438 or commercial 011-39-081-811-4438.  You MUST fax a copy of your housing application (DD form 1746), copy of your page 2 and arrival date at DSN 629-4472 or commercial at 011-39-081-811-4472.   Your sponsor must also contact the Housing Welcome Center.  Families directly assigned to housing have the option of moving onto the local economy after six months.   Relocation is entirely your financial responsibility. 

  Please note: On this writing (09/16/2002), have your sponsor check with the Housing Welcome Center for availability of Government Quarters.

Presently open at the Support Site are: CDC, Fire Station, Security, Human Resources, Village Forum, Navy Lodge (TLA), mini-Commissary, Video Store, Post Office, Barber Shop, Personal Property, MVRO, AFN, Family Service Center, Housing Welcome Center, Teen Center, Elementary & High Schools, Dental Clinic, Family Advocacy, Library, .  Sept. 2nd TGI Friday's will open.  Hospital is under construction and expected to open in February.  The Commissary, Navy Exchange, Athletic Complex, Chapel, Movie Theater, and Auto Hobby Shop will also be located at the Support Site.

Housing

In February 1996 construction started in Gricignano, the location of the Support Site.  A total of 879 officer & enlisted units will be available.   The Enlisted units will consist of 300 2-Bedroom, 336 3-Bedroom, 108 4-Bedroom and the Officer units will consist of 72 3-Bedroom units and 60 4-bedroom units. The new units have 110-volt electrical current, drinkable water, central heat & air conditioning, all appliances including a dishwasher.  Click this link to see pictures inside one of the units. Dogs are not allowed on the Support Site.

If you are eligible to live on the economy, your first stop will the Housing Welcome Center (HWC).  The Showing Service keeps a database with pictures and information on the homes available in the local area.  Showing tours may be set up with one of the counselors who will explain your options in selecting your new home.  You must check-in with HWC within two days of your arrival in Naples.   All leases must be negotiated through the HWC.  If you negotiate a lease on your own, you will not receive your housing allowance or any of the Housing services including loaner furniture or appliances.  Once you decide on a property, notify the Housing Office immediately so they can schedule pre-negotiating and lease negotiating sessions with you and your prospective landlord.  At the time the lease is signed you are required to bring the Euro equivalent of two months rent (1st months rent & security deposit).

Finding A House

To live in government housing or not.........personally I would say not, but that of course is a personal preference. Again, this is a personal choice, I came to Italy to learn the culture, language, etc., therefore I prefer the economy.

Homes on the economy are built similar to fortresses. Most are located in neighborhoods (parco's), rarely are the homes located in remote areas or areas without many other homes. Most are built behind large walls and/or fences. We have a problem here with theft, which is the reason for the walls and fences with locking gates and household alarm systems. We have found though, that if you are careful to not leave anything outside in your yard, or leave your home open when you aren't home or after nightfall, you probably will not have a problem. All you really have to do is use your head, not leave anything outside or visible, and close your windows or shutters. All houses have roll down type shutters (similar to Florida hurricane shutters), steel shutters, or steel bars on all windows and doors. This is a requirement of the Housing Office. Many of the homes you look at will also have alarm systems installed. There is normally no air conditioning in homes on the economy. At times the caldia (furnace) isn't needed as it's not cool enough, or the caldia can't keep up with the cold, hence the need for space heaters called bombola. Most houses with central heating use old fashioned style radiators with no thermostats, and it is difficult to maintain a specific temperature, you may want to think about using space heaters as an add-on or supplemental source of heat. Space heaters or available on base or can be purchased though the secondary market or on the local economy. The space heaters here are normally larger than the style in the U.S. and most heat using propane, they are also available in both kerosene and electric models. If using either propane or kerosene you should have carbon monoxide detectors on each floor where a space heater is used. They can be purchased on base, but are cheaper if purchased in the U.S.

Homes on the economy vary the same way they do in the U.S. You have the choice of apartments, single family, duplexes or quadruplexes.  Some have yards, some don't. Some are located in mainly Italian areas and some in mainly American/British areas. The choice is yours. At this point we live in a parco that is about 75% Italian. The previous home we had was located in mainly an Italian parco and we loved the area. There is so much to be learned from another culture.

When you first arrive in Naples your Household Goods in all likelihood won't be here. The government has set up what they call "Loaner Furniture." There are two types of loaner furniture, available to you. The first type is for the items you will need until your household goods arrive, this is "temporary," you can borrow: beds & mattresses, dressers, dining room furniture, living room furniture, lamps, etc. When you go to Housing to negotiate your contract with your landlord you will be able to pick out what you need at that time, it will be delivered to your home for you. There is also a "Loaner Closet" from which you may borrow linens, pots & pans, etc., until your Household Goods shipment arrives. The second type of loaner furniture you will use is Partial/Full Tour Furnishings, these will include many of the items that will not be found in your home that you will need. In this category you will receive: wardrobes (one for each family member and one extra for the military members uniforms), gas stove (five burner, choice of large or small), refrigerator (choice of large or small), washer & gas dryer, microwave (small), two or three door kitchen/dining room hutch (size depends on if you are accompanied/unaccompanied), freezer (chest), two transformers (choice of size), two electrical fans, portable air conditioner, carbon monoxide detectors and the availability of a European satellite system.

There are many styles of homes available, please do not settle on any old house. Rent something that you are in love with. The Housing Office provides contracted Realtors to show you a list of houses. Housing maintains catalogs with pictures, descriptions and features on the premises. You may choose houses that you wish to view and the Housing Realtors will show you the property. There are also private Realtors that can show you additional selections.

When looking for a house/apartment, there are some specific items you will normally want. The most important consideration will be, is the home within your capped rent amount, or your willingness to spend additional monies. I would recommend that there always be screens (flys and mosquitoes can be horrible here), personally we prefer a bulk propane tank over individual smaller tanks or gasolio (heating oil, see Rationed Items Link), adequate number of power outlets, and their locations, do you want a garage/basement, separate or combined living room/dining room, fireplace, yard or garden, installed lighting, installed alarm system, outdoor lighting, local area, proximity to bus stops, recreation areas and the base where you will work. During your housing tours get a feel for each local area. NOTE: When choosing a house be aware of the bus stops, the rules for school buses are as follows: Elementary - the walking zone is one mile to the nearest stop. Secondary & High School - 1.5 mile walking zone to the nearest stop.

It is a good idea to take out property insurance on you household belongings, as Italian landlords do not carry insurance against the contents of the home. In order to replace your property in case of theft, fire, or other events it is a good idea to take out an insurance policy. Unfortunately, theft is not uncommon here, and it's better to be safe than sorry. Consideration should be given to storing items that cannot be replaced, or of high sentimental or dollar value.