Military families’ housing benefits lag as rents explode

By R.J. RICO
Associated Press

Housing has long been a major benefit for service members, a subsidy to salaries that trail the private sector. But amid record-breaking spikes in rent, service members and housing activists say the Department of Defense has not adequately increased housing allowances, thereby neglecting its commitment to military families. That’s forced many to settle for substandard homes, deal with extremely long commutes or pay thousands they hadn’t budgeted for. Military housing activist Kate Needham argues that the discrepancy between housing allowances and the current market should alarm officials who are already struggling to recruit the next generation. Defense officials say they’re committed to helping families secure “suitable, affordable housing, whether on or off-base.”