Senate Hearings to Investigate Unsafe Housing Conditions for U.S. Military Families – Reuters

By Joshua Schneyer and M.B. Pell

NEW YORK – In response to serious health and safety issues highlighted by an investigation into U.S. military housing, Congress is set to hold hearings next month to ensure that such conditions are never repeated, according to Senator Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The hearings, scheduled for February 13, will allow lawmakers to question officials from the Department of Defense and the private contractors responsible for housing numerous military families across the nation, as informed by Senate staff.

Senators have stressed the urgent need for oversight, citing complaints from military families and recent reports. "We must do everything we can to ensure that no soldier, airman, sailor, Marine, or their families have to worry about the safety of their homes," stated Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, where families at Fort Bragg have been vocal in their demands for better conditions from private landlords.

These hearings are indicative of a growing bipartisan effort in Congress to secure the safety of around 700,000 service members, along with their spouses and children, living in homes managed by private companies in partnership with the Department of Defense.

“We look forward to collaborating with Congress on discussions regarding privatized housing,” stated Department of Defense spokesperson Heather Babb.

The upcoming hearings respond to a series of reports that exposed problematic aspects of the U.S. Military Housing Privatization Initiative, which represents the largest corporate takeover of federal housing. This initiative began two decades ago when the Defense Department transitioned most family housing on U.S. bases to private management to enhance living standards.

However, the investigation uncovered alarming conditions in some homes, such as lead paint threats to children, pervasive mold sickness, leaking or collapsing ceilings, and infestations. Even newly constructed homes have shown significant defects, and housing inspectors often lack access to these properties. Families face limited rights as tenants and can find themselves at a loss against property managers working in tandem with military authorities.

Behind these safety concerns are private landlords with secure profit guarantees from Defense Department rental funds, one of whom is projected to earn $1 billion in fees from classified Army housing contracts lasting up to 50 years.

The Department of Defense has long asserted that the privatization program significantly improved housing. However, military families have increasingly urged Congress for accountability regarding housing safety.

"This is long overdue," said Janna Driver, an Air Force spouse whose children faced health issues due to mold in their Oklahoma base housing. "I think these articles are why these Congressional hearings are happening."

Privatized housing exists on more than 100 bases nationwide, leading to limited oversight from military branches. The initiative tasked private firms with building, renovating, and maintaining homes at high quality for residents.

"If they aren’t managing it well, we need to examine what the Department of Defense is doing to hold these contractors accountable," emphasized Senator James Inhofe, Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat and ranking member, has also been advocating for these housing hearings.

According to Inhofe, the Subcommittees on Personnel and Readiness will oversee the hearings. This scrutiny could inform potential legislative actions aimed at enhancing safety and accountability in privatized on-base housing, as suggested by Senate staff.

These hearings represent the most recent initiative in response to the investigation, with other measures previously announced including a review by the Government Accountability Office, an inquiry by the Defense Department’s Inspector General, and a nationwide inspection program focusing on lead, mold, and asbestos in Army homes, potentially costing up to $386 million.

The housing issues have prompted further action from other senators as well. Recently, Senator Dianne Feinstein from California sent letters to the Secretaries of the Navy and Air Force, as well as the Commandant of the Marine Corps, referencing the investigation and requesting contract documents related to base housing in her state.