Pentagon Faces Pressure Over Alarming Military Housing Issues

Military families continue to suffer from unsafe and unsanitary living conditions on U.S. bases worldwide, prompting advocates to demand immediate action from the Pentagon.

At a Glance

Eight advocacy groups urge the Pentagon to address unsafe living conditions on military bases
Issues include mold, contaminated water, lead paint, and pest infestations
The Pentagon launched a Housing Feedback System for service members to report problems
Bipartisan lawmakers criticize the DoD for failing to protect military families in private housing

Widespread Housing Issues Plague Military Bases

Military families across the United States are facing a crisis of substandard living conditions in on-base housing. Reports of mold, contaminated water, lead paint, and pest infestations have become alarmingly common, raising serious concerns about the health and well-being of our service members and their loved ones.

Eight advocacy groups for military personnel and their families have joined forces to demand immediate action from the Pentagon. These organizations are calling for comprehensive reforms and stricter accountability measures to ensure long-lasting improvements in military housing quality.

Pentagon’s Response and New Initiatives

In response to mounting pressure, the Pentagon has launched a Housing Feedback System, allowing service members to report housing issues directly. This move aims to improve transparency and address problems more efficiently.

“We have a moral obligation to ensure that the spaces where our service members and their families live are healthy, functional, and resilient,” said a Pentagon spokesperson. “The new feedback system will help improve installation conditions today and the quality standards Service members and their families deserve.”

Additionally, the Department of Defense has committed to addressing deficiencies and improving oversight in military housing. Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense, has pledged to tackle these issues head-on, recognizing the critical importance of safe and dignified living conditions for our troops.

Privatization: A Failed Solution?

The privatization of military housing, which began in 1996 to address a $20 billion maintenance backlog, has come under intense scrutiny. Critics argue that this approach has led to a lack of accountability and has worsened living conditions for many military families.

“These houses aren’t taken care of — they’re held together with popsicle sticks and bubblegum,” says former Army Sergeant Johny Dudek, highlighting the frustration felt by many military families.

In a troubling development, Balfour Beatty, one of the private companies managing military housing, pleaded guilty in 2021 to defrauding the U.S. military by falsifying maintenance records. The company was fined over $65 million, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of privatized housing management.

Congressional Action and Future Outlook

Bipartisan lawmakers are taking notice of this crisis. Both the House and Senate versions of the defense policy bill include provisions to improve living conditions and hold landlords accountable. The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) proposes an increase in the basic allowance for housing and a significant pay raise for junior enlisted members.

“Every year, the Army appropriates money for improving our soldiers’ housing,” Rep. Richard Hudson stated. “The problem is that these funds are not being used efficiently to ensure necessary basic living conditions for our service members.”

As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that immediate and decisive action is needed to address the housing crisis facing our military families. The brave men and women who serve our country deserve nothing less than safe, healthy, and dignified living conditions. It is now up to the Pentagon and Congress to ensure that this fundamental right is protected and upheld for all service members and their families.