Military Families in the Dark About Housing Rights, New Survey Finds

Even after numerous reforms, a significant number of U.S. military families residing in privatized housing remain unaware of their tenant rights or where to seek assistance when problems occur, as highlighted by a recent survey from the Military Housing Coalition. 

A recent report gathered insights from more than 1,100 military personnel, their spouses, and civilians, revealing that 56% of those surveyed were not informed about their tenant rights. In contrast, 48% expressed dissatisfaction with the oversight provided by housing offices on base.

The issue extends beyond mere information: a significant two-thirds indicated that housing challenges have negatively impacted their family's quality of life. At the same time, almost half reported incurring out-of-pocket expenses for home repairs or enhancements. Supporters argue that this highlights a persistent shortcoming in the military's approach to informing and safeguarding families residing in more than 200,000 privately managed housing units nationwide.

“The progress from the 2020 reforms has decelerated,” stated Heather Hall, founder of the Military Housing Coalition. “We enacted legislation and developed resources, yet families remain unaware of their existence.”

In 2020, Congress passed the Tenant Bill of Rights, which provides military families with formal protections, including the right to a dispute process. Surprisingly, 26.5% of the families surveyed were unaware of the existence of housing offices designed to assist them, a finding that aligns with similar conclusions drawn in a 2023 GAO report. A newly launched resource, the DoD’s Housing Feedback System, which started in August 2024, was unknown to 67.5% of respondents in the survey.

Hall highlights that the operation of over 70% of military housing by private entities presents challenges due to inconsistent communication, differing office names, and a lack of accountability, which complicates the resolution of housing issues.

“Unfortunately, we continue to face the same challenges,” she remarked. “And malicious individuals continue to evade detection.”