Survey: Military Families Paying Out of Pocket to Fix Hazards in Privatized Base Housing

Many military families in the U.S. report having to bear the financial burden of addressing hazardous housing conditions in privatized base homes. A recent survey reveals extensive issues such as mold, leaks, and structural damage at many installations across the country.

The Change the Air Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving indoor air quality, conducted the survey and gathered responses from 3,401 current and former residents at 57 bases spanning 30 states. Results reveal that over 2,600 individuals have reported serious problems in their privatized residences, such as water damage, sewage backups, flooding, air-conditioning failures, and gas leaks. A total of 844 families reported spending, on average, $1,680 each to address ongoing hazards.

Jackie Talarico, whose family resided in privatized housing at Naval Air Station Key West in Florida, reported that they invested thousands in efforts to eliminate ongoing mold issues. “We were informed that this condition was entirely typical and could be resolved with standard household cleaning, and that if I simply cleaned and kept scrubbing it, it would essentially be managed,” Talarico shared with Task & Purpose.

Almost three years later, she discovered that several leaks were the origin of the mold. The private housing provider, Balfour Beatty Communities, was unable to complete the necessary repairs to the home within the timeframe stipulated by her lease, resulting in her family's eviction. Talarico reported that the experience resulted in significant debt and compelled them to throw away items contaminated with mold, including cherished family heirlooms. “What’s the value of that?” she stated. “That’s beyond calculation.”

A family is one of many taking legal action against Balfour Beatty Communities. The company emphasized in a statement, “The health, safety, and well-being of our residents are always our highest priority,” while noting that it could not provide comments on ongoing litigation.

Respondents reported facing comparable challenges. Families have shared their experiences of incurring expenses for pest control services, mold assessments, temporary accommodations while repairs are underway, medical appointments, and purchasing equipment like dehumidifiers and filtration systems.

 A service member in North Carolina expressed that the expenses were daunting: “We need to set aside funds for air purifiers (approximately $500 each), a dehumidifier (around $300-400), and a water filter system ($450) … while we are already living paycheck to paycheck.”

The latest developments emerge as lawmakers and military officials persist in their attempts to overhaul the privatized housing system, which has been under fire for years due to allegations of neglect and mismanagement. While military officials assert that maintenance teams promptly address immediate safety concerns, the survey reveals that families frequently bear the burden of ongoing or unresolved problems.

Talarico expressed that she initially had confidence in the housing officials who guaranteed her that the mold issue was under control. She reported that the issues escalated, ultimately leading her family to seek off-base housing in Maryland. “They’re saying to me: ‘Oh, you have a shop-vac and all these tools.’ It is time to get your shop vac ready for action. “This is entirely typical,” she remembered.

The legal battle concerning her family and others continues to unfold.