Military Housing (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Sept. 29, 2023 |
| Report Number |
R47728 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Andrew Tilghman |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Department of Defense (DOD) provides on-installation / on-base housing or housing
allowances to active-duty servicemembers as a component of service agreements and regular
military compensation.1 DOD considers housing to be important in recruitment and retention and
provides housing benefits based on three factors – a servicemember’s pay grade, the location of
their duty assignment, and whether a servicemember has dependents (e.g., a spouse and/or
children). The availability of on-base housing at particular locations may also influence housing
assignments.
Congress considers military housing policies and programs as part of the annual budget
authorization and appropriations process. Military housing has been a topic of increased interest
for Congress since 2019, partly due to reports of poor conditions in certain military housing
facilities, reports that have prompted Congress to enact new oversight measures. During the same
time period, Congress has also sought to address concerns from some military families and
certain DOD officials about the cost and availability of off-base housing for servicemembers who
receive housing allowances to rent or buy a home in the private real-estate markets near military
installations.2 DOD’s failure to meet its recruiting goals has intensified concerns among some
Members of Congress about military housing and servicemembers’ quality of life.3
This report provides a broad overview of DOD’s military housing programs, how they are funded,
and related congressional oversight issues.
