Close
KTAR.com
News
Shows
Blogs
KTAR News on 92.3FM

Military families’ housing benefits lag as rents explode

Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash., center, walks down the steps with other members of the House during an event on steps of the House of Representatives on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Basic allowance for housing is like an “algorithm that needs updating on a regular basis,” said Strickland, whose district includes the massive Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, where many military families struggle to find affordable homes. Her proposal is part of the national defense bill that passed the House in July and is awaiting Senate approval. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) In this photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, Col. Jamaal Mays, 366th Fighter Wing commander for support, speaks to Airmen, September 30, 2020 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Mays said housing allowances have increased, but not enough to keep pace with the spiking prices. Brand new airmen are normally housed in dorms on base for about 36 months, but because demand for on-base housing is so high, they often only spend 18 to 20 months. “They're being pushed out on the local economy before they’re ready,” Mays said. (Airman 1st Class Natalie Rubenak/U.S. Air Force via AP) In this photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, housing for service members is pictured at Mountain Home Air Force Base, April 28, 2022. 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. (1st Lt. Daniel Barnhorst/U.S. Air Force via AP) In this photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, a hangar stands at MacDill Air Force Base, Jan. 4, 2021, in Tampa, 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. (Senior Airman Tiffany Emery/U.S. Air Force via AP) Kate Needham, a veteran who co-founded the nonprofit Armed Forces Housing Advocates, looks on in a housing complex, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in San Diego. Needham's group supplies microgrants to military families in need, some of whom have resorted to food banks because their salaries do not cover such basics. “I don’t think civilians really understand — they might think we’re living in free housing and just having a great time, making lots of money. And that’s not the case at all.” (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) In this photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, housing for service members is shown at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Thursday, April 28, 2022. 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. (1st Lt. Daniel Barnhorst/U.S. Air Force via AP)