What the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport offers

The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) in Gulfport, Mississippi is a residential community for retired military members who served honorably. It is a federal facility — not a private nursing home — run by the Department of Defense. Residents live in independent apartments or assisted living units depending on their needs, and the home provides meals, housekeeping, medical care coordination, and activities on campus.

Gulfport is one of two AFRH locations in the United States (the other is in Washington, D.C.). The facility sits on a 72-acre campus near the Gulf Coast and houses around 600 residents at any given time. It is designed for military retirees who want community living with built-in support, not for those still working or those who need skilled nursing care in a hospital setting.

Key Takeaways

  • The Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport is a federal facility for retired military members, not a private nursing home or assisted living chain.
  • Residents must have served honorably in any branch of the U.S. military and meet income and asset limits that change yearly.
  • Monthly costs are based on your military retirement pay and other income, and the home adjusts your bill each month — there is no fixed price.
  • The process process takes several months and requires military discharge papers, financial records, and a medical evaluation.
  • Gulfport has independent living apartments and assisted living units, but does not provide skilled nursing or memory care for advanced dementia.

Who can move to the Gulfport facility

To live at AFRH Gulfport, you must have served on active duty in any branch of the U.S. military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force — and received an honorable discharge. Reserve and National Guard members who were called to active duty and honorably discharged also count. You do not need to have been a career officer; enlisted service of any length qualifies.

The home also sets income and asset limits. These change each year based on federal guidelines. In general, your monthly income (including military retirement pay, Social Security, pensions, and rental income) cannot exceed a certain threshold, and your liquid assets (savings, stocks, bonds — but not your home) must be below a limit. The AFRH Gulfport admissions office publishes the current year's limits on their website and can tell you over the phone whether you fall within them.

You must also be able to live independently or with information in an apartment setting. If you need 24-hour skilled nursing care, memory care for advanced dementia, or dialysis, Gulfport is not the right fit. The home can help you find other options if that is your situation.

How much it costs and how billing works

The AFRH does not charge a fixed monthly fee. Instead, your bill is calculated each month based on your income. The home takes a percentage of your military retirement pay and other income — the exact percentage varies but is typically around 30 to 35 percent of your gross monthly income. This means your bill changes if your income changes (for example, if you turn 70 and start taking Social Security, or if you receive a cost-of-living adjustment to your military pension).

The monthly bill covers your apartment or assisted living unit, all meals, utilities, housekeeping, activities, and basic medical care coordination. It does not cover prescription medications, dental work, vision care, or trips outside the facility — those are your responsibility. Some residents use their VA benefits or Medicare to cover medical expenses.

There is no upfront entry fee or deposit. You pay month to month, and your bill is deducted from your military retirement pay or sent as an invoice if you prefer to pay by check.

The process and admission timeline

The process process typically takes three to six months from start to finish. You begin by contacting the AFRH Gulfport admissions office by phone or mail to request an process packet. They will send you forms to complete and a list of documents you need to gather.

Required documents include your military discharge papers (DD Form 214), proof of current income (recent military retirement statement, Social Security statement, pension letters), bank statements showing your liquid assets, and a completed medical history form. You will also need to arrange a medical evaluation — the home can refer you to a local doctor or you can use your own physician, but the evaluation must be recent (usually within three months of submission).

Once the admissions office receives your complete process, they review it for income and asset limits. If you meet those, your name goes on a waiting list. The wait time varies — it can be a few weeks if there are open units, or several months if the facility is full. The admissions office will contact you when a unit becomes available and you are next on the list.

What daily life looks like at Gulfport

Residents live in private apartments or assisted living suites depending on their independence level. Independent living units are studio or one-bedroom apartments with a kitchenette, bathroom, and living area. Assisted living units are similar but include help with bathing, dressing, and medication management from staff.

The facility provides three meals a day in a central dining room, though residents can eat in their rooms if they prefer. There is a library, fitness center, computer room, and activity schedule that includes classes, outings, and social events. A medical clinic is on campus staffed by nurses and a physician's assistant; residents can see their own doctors off-campus as well.

Residents are responsible for their own transportation if they want to leave campus, though some activities and outings are organized by the home. Visitors are welcome, and residents can have family stay overnight in guest rooms for a small fee.

Services the home does and does not provide

AFRH Gulfport provides independent or assisted living apartments, meals, housekeeping, laundry service, activity programs, and basic medical care coordination. The on-campus clinic can manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, and staff can help you take medications on schedule.

The home does not provide skilled nursing care (wound care, IV therapy, complex medical procedures), memory care for advanced dementia, or 24-hour supervision. If a resident's health declines and they need services beyond what the home offers, the admissions office will help them transition to a nursing home or other facility. Some residents move to a nursing home while keeping their AFRH apartment for a spouse or partner who still meets the criteria.

The home also does not provide transportation to medical appointments, dental care, or vision care. You arrange and pay for those services yourself, though staff can help coordinate appointments.

Questions to ask the admissions office

Before you explore, call the AFRH Gulfport admissions office and ask: What are this year's income and asset limits? How long is the current waiting list? What types of units are available — independent or assisted living? Can I tour the facility before I explore? What happens if my health needs change after I move in? Do you accept Medicare or VA benefits for medical care?

You can also ask about the process timeline, what documents they need, and whether they can refer you to a local doctor for the required medical evaluation. The admissions staff are used to these questions and can walk you through the process step by step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my military retirement pay to pay for AFRH?

No. Your bill is based on your total monthly income, which includes military retirement, Social Security, pensions, rental income, and other sources. The home calculates the bill as a percentage of your gross income, regardless of where that income comes from. If you have no military retirement pay but receive Social Security and a civilian pension, those count toward your income for billing purposes.

What if I am on the waiting list and my health gets worse?

Contact the admissions office and let them know. If your condition changes significantly, they may move you up the list or help you find a temporary placement at another facility while you wait. The home wants to admit residents who can benefit from independent or assisted living, so being honest about changes helps them plan.

Can my spouse or partner live with me if they did not serve in the military?

Yes. A spouse or partner who did not serve can live in your unit with you. They do not have to meet the military service requirement, but they are included in your household income calculation for billing. If you pass away, your spouse may be able to stay in the unit depending on their income and the home's policies — ask the admissions office about this.

What happens if I run out of money and cannot pay my bill?

Contact the admissions office when ready. The AFRH has a hardship process for residents whose financial situation changes. They may be able to adjust your bill, connect you with VA benefits you have not yet used, or help you find other resources. The goal is to keep you housed, not to evict you, so do not wait until you are behind on payments.

How do I contact the AFRH Gulfport admissions office?

You can reach them by phone during business hours or by mail. The facility's main number and admissions contact information are on the official AFRH website under the Gulfport location page. You can also visit in person if you are in the area — tours are available by appointment.