Government Housing

China Lake has some of the best government housing in the Navy. All 192 homes on station are single family and are unfurnished with fenced backyards, garage, wall-to-wall carpeting, vertical and mini blinds, dishwasher, garbage disposal, stove, refrigerator, and washer and dryer hook-ups. The units have heating and central evaporative cooling. All units have three or four bedrooms and 1 3/4 or two bathrooms and spacious lawns with lots of trees for shade. There is a well lit, walking/biking pathway running though out the entire area, and a nearby park area.

Availability/Eligibility

Navy-owned housing at China Lake is available to active duty military families. Very often there is a waiting list of a few weeks to a few months for family housing. Check with the Navy Family Housing Office (760-939-4450) for availability as soon as you know you are transferring to China Lake.

The Community Services team is dedicated to making your stay with Lincoln Military Housing an exceptional experience for the entire family. We provide a host of free events throughout the year in order to make it easier for you and your family to meet neighbors, make friends, and for all of our residents to have a great time. We also partner with area organizations in order to make their programs more accessible to you and your family. We also strive to give additional support during times of deployment. Find out more in the monthly newsletter or by visiting the program website.

Application 

We recommended that you complete, as soon as possible, an application for on-base housing (DD Form 1746). Include with this form a copy of your orders; with the detaching endorsement from your command and your current page two. However, you will be placed in advanced status until you report in at China Lake. Forward your package to the Family Housing Office at China Lake. Contact the Family Housing Office immediately upon your arrival to be placed on the waiting list and/or for assistance in locating affordable and suitable housing in the community. Your control date will be the date of detachment from your last duty station. Make sure that your date of detachment is stamped on your orders. Assignment to government quarters at China Lake is not mandatory. Single or married military members may request to reside off Station.

Temporary Lodging

China Lake has 11 Transient Family Quarters. Reservations are strongly recommended. There are 8 two-man units with shared bath, microwave, mini refrigerator, phone, and cable for E-1s TO E-3s. For E-4s to E-6s there are 16 units with private bathroom, microwave, mini refrigerator, phone, and cable. For E-7s and above there are 64 units with 2 room suites, private bath, microwave, mini refrigerator, television, phone, and cable. Some have full kitchens while others have kitchenettes.

Single Service Member Housing

Single enlisted members are assigned to the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ). There are 128 modular rooms in the two-building complex.

Non-Government Housing

Housing Referral Office-(HRO) -- The HRO is your contact for any problems you may encounter such as discrimination complaints, tenant/landlord disputes, or any questions or problems about off-base housing is the HRO. The HRO will provide you a list of rentals with corresponding locator maps and give you information regarding the communities in which the rentals are located. All renters should carry renters insurance against fire, theft and other damages. The property owner's insurance will cover the property but not the renters personal property. Ask about the Rental Partnership Program if planning to rent an apartment. Transfer coverage after you arrive.

Rental Options

Rental Partnership Program -- In order to help China Lake employees acquire housing in the community, the Family Housing Office has established the Rental Partnership Program. This program maintains information about the local housing market and directs military members to available housing in Ridgecrest and the surrounding Indian Wells Valley area.

Purchase Options

Ridgecrest housing is the affordable California. Homes in the Ridgecrest area are designed to fit every life style with a combination of simplicity and elegance. Whether you are looking for a modestly priced starter home, a townhouse, or a condominium, living in the Ridgecrest area can be fun, easy, and affordable. A wide variety of excellent housing is readily available at reasonable prices ... you can live only minutes from your office.

While the median home price in California is $465,000, Ridgecrest's median home price is only $175,000. Rentals range from $375 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment to $1500 per month for a luxury home. Home sites start at a mere $5,000.

A full service community, Ridgecrest has a fully staffed regional hospital, a career-oriented Community College and an award-winning educational system. Education is a priority, evidenced by 37% of adults over the age of 25 have a 4-year degree.

Free from traffic congestion, Ridgecrest's air ranks among the cleanest in the nation. Temperatures are similar to Palm Springs but average 10 degrees cooler.

A perfect place to raise a family, retire or pursue outdoor recreation. Ridgecrest is the Center of Influence in the Easter Sierra High Desert and a community with a clear vision of where it wants to go.