Privatized Housing is owned by a private entity and governed by a business agreement between the private entity and the Military Service. The private entity is responsible for the construction, renovation, maintenance and day-to-day management of the housing. Privatized Housing may be located on or off government property and, in most cases, will be former military housing found exclusively in the United States. Similar to Community Housing, a lease agreement must be signed to occupy Privatized Housing.

MHO Managed Housing is generally referred to as Base Housing, although it may be located on or off base. The Military Service and local Military Housing Office (MHO) are responsible for the construction, renovation, maintenance and day-to-day management of MHO managed housing. The MHO is responsible for determining eligibility for housing and for processing housing applications. MHO Managed Housing is primarily available OCONUS, with a few exceptions.

The RPP operates at many Military locations and aids in defraying or reducing some of the costs incurred in renting community housing, such as security deposits and discounted rents. This program, where available, is governed by an agreement between the community housing property owner and the local MHO. The MHO is responsible for determining eligibility for RPP housing and for tracking occupancy.

Community Housing is housing located in communities near Military installations. Local MHOs can assist in obtaining community housing, including while waiting for privatized or MHO Managed Housing to become available.