Bill Overview
Title: Military Housing Affordability Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends certain authorities of the Department of Defense (DOD) to adjust basic housing allowances for military housing in certain areas. Specifically, the bill extends to December 31, 2024, DOD's authority to increase the rates of basic housing allowance in areas of a declared major disaster or areas containing one or more military installations that are experiencing a sudden increase in the number of members assigned to the installation. The bill also extends to September 30, 2024, DOD's authority to prescribe a temporary adjustment to basic housing allowance rates if DOD determines the costs of adequate housing for civilians in that military housing area differs from the current allowance rates by more than 20%.
Sponsors: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: Military personnel receiving basic housing allowances
Estimated Size: 1100000
- The bill specifically targets military personnel who are living in areas near military installations.
- These areas may be experiencing a sudden increase in members due to relocations or assignments, directly impacting housing demands and prices.
- The bill extends previous provisions which suggests ongoing issues with housing affordability in these areas.
- Global estimates should focus on active duty military personnel who receive housing stipends, particularly those subject to temporary assignments or relocations.
- It should include both domestic (US-based) as well as international military bases, although the current information seems more focused on US installations due to major disaster language.
- Multiple installations may be involved, and data such as how many installations are affected by sudden influxes or how many times this authority has been used prior would be informative.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets locations impacted by housing demand due to military relocations or disasters, affecting a diverse group of military personnel and their families.
- The budgetary constraints limit the policy's reach, potentially leading to varying impact based on installation size, location, and local housing market dynamics.
- I included a mix of personnel who will experience different levels of impact, from high due to relocation to low in stable housing markets, while also accounting for those not directly impacted.
Simulated Interviews
Army Sergeant (Fort Bragg, NC)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The current housing market in my area is tight due to a sudden inflow of personnel.
- Increased housing allowance would ease my financial stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Navy Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I already own a house and do not expect much change due to this policy.
- I see how this policy could benefit those renting in my area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Army Major (Fort Hood, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Housing price changes don’t impact me too much as I’m not planning any relocations.
- It's good for newer personnel facing high rent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Air Force Airman (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.5 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rent keeps rising and it’s a struggle to find affordable housing.
- I look forward to any relief this policy may provide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Logistics Specialist (Fort Carson, CO)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I adjusted my living situation to cope with current allowance rates.
- Policy would benefit my colleagues more than me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Air Force Pilot (Keesler Air Force Base, MS)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s tough managing housing costs solo, more allowance would help immensely.
- Need this policy for better stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Army Staff Sergeant (Fort Stewart, GA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.5 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Housing is a big issue here with increasing military presence in past years.
- More allowance would definitely smooth things out.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Army Colonel (Fort Knox, KY)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As I am settled in housing, this policy doesn’t change much for me.
- I support initiatives that assist junior personnel.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Navy Sailor (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rising rents are a huge stress as we are starting a family.
- More housing benefits would make a big difference for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Motor Transport Operator (Fort Bliss, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any increase in housing allowance would help reduce the financial burden.
- I hope this policy leads to long-term improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $400000000)
Year 2: $300000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $450000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Variability in housing markets around military installations can lead to fluctuations in required housing allowance adjustments.
- The extension does not introduce new provisions, limiting the scope to continuation effects, with funding effectively already accounted for under existing military budget structures.
- The timing of deployments and climate-related events could significantly influence cost variations from year to year.
- Military housing market conditions are inherently volatile due to the dynamic nature of military assignments and potential contingency operations.