NORFOLK, Va. — Because there simply isn't enough military-owned housing for the nation's 1.3 million military active-duty members, many of them have no choice but to live off-base.
73% of military personnel who live in civilian housing pay well over $200 per month in housing costs out of pocket—beyond the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) they receive from the government—according to a 2023 survey from Blue Star Families.
A 2022 Blue Star Families survey found that 98% of respondents said finding rental housing within $200 of the service member's BAH was "somewhat difficult" to "extremely difficult."
The findings are drawing the attention of Capitol Hill.
"These housing shortages force military families to strain their budgets and pay more than they can afford or to undergo long commutes," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), during a hearing last week of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee.
At the same hearing, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel Ashish Vaziarni said: "Access to affordable housing certainly will improve the quality of life for military families. We're very focused on that."
Currently, the BAH is calculated at 95% of the local market cost.
Blue Star Families says the allowance needs to return to 100%.
"That's certainly what we're recommending. With each incremental increase in out-of-pocket housing costs, military families are less likely to recommend military service because they see the declining benefits, advantage of military service," said Dr. Jessica Strong, Blue Star Families Senior Director of Applied Research, in an interview Monday with 13News Now.
The House Armed Services Committee last month published its "Quality of Life" panel report.
It recommends that next year, the Department of Defense is required to ensure that the BAH covers 100% of the local housing costs.