Brenden Taylor, a Marine, and his family faced challenges finding an affordable rental home near Camp Pendleton in California due to rising rents. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University showed that the median U.S. rent increased 25% from 2021 to 2023, while renters’ median household incomes only rose by 5%. The Blue Star Families survey found that the military housing allowance provided by the Defense Department is insufficient for most active-duty families, with only 26% saying it covered their monthly housing costs. Concerned about rising costs, 15 Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee asked the Defense Department to investigate what’s driving the price hikes, particularly looking into RealPage Inc., a property management software company accused of enabling landlords to raise rents aggressively.
The Defense Department has faced pressure to protect military families from these predatory practices. As rents in areas surrounding military bases continue to rise, active-duty service members’ families are particularly affected. While the department has increased housing allowance funds to 1 million service members, the rising costs have led to concerns about financial stability for military families and the impact on national security. Factors contributing to rising housing costs include elevated interest rates and a supply shortage, as well as increased purchases of rental properties by corporate landlords. It is crucial to address these challenges to ensure the well-being of military families and maintain a strong all-volunteer force.
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