Panetta offers bill to improve military housing

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is backing new legislation to improve living conditions in privatized military housing.

Central Coast Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D) is author of the Better Military Housing Act. Panetta says the bill will provide oversight and enhance the health, safety, and quality of privatized military housing.

Co-sponsors include House members Richard Hudson (R-NC), Anthony Brown (D-MD), John Carter (R-TX), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Denny Heck (D-WA), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Van Taylor (R-TX), and Michael Waltz (R-FL).

“It is imperataive the Department of Defense devlop a holistic solution to remedy systemic privatized military housing issues and empower servicemember families,” said Panetta. “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will enhance transparency, communication, and accountability standards connected to privatized military housing.”

“It is completely unacceptable for our service members and their families to have anything less than high-quality, safe homes,” said Congressman Hudson.

H.R. 2811 requires the Department of Defense, in consultation with military families, to develop and implement a strategy to improve privatized military housing. The action plan must improve personnel training and contract oversight, protect against any reprisal, and better regulate health metrics and lease provisions.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.