Brenden Taylor, a Marine who spent 11 years in service, struggled to find affordable housing for his family near Camp Pendleton in Southern California due to rising rents. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University showed that U.S. median rents increased by 25%, while renters’ incomes only rose by 5% from 2021 to 2023.
The Defense Department provides housing allowances for active-duty families, but these allowances often fall short of covering housing costs. Blue Star Families found that only 26% of active-duty families said the allowance covered their costs in 2022, down from 42% just four years earlier. Concerned senators are urging the Defense Department to investigate rising rental costs, potentially driven by RealPage Inc.’s system, which may enable landlords to raise rents aggressively.
RealPage denies these allegations and is facing legal action from federal prosecutors and state attorneys general. As housing costs rise, the Defense Department has increased housing allowances for service members, paying out nearly $30 billion this year. However, factors like high interest rates, lack of housing supply, and increased corporate ownership of rental properties contribute to rising costs.
The financial strain on military families can impact their willingness to recommend military service to others. Blue Star Families emphasizes the importance of ensuring military families’ financial stability for national security. The Defense Department faces pressure to protect service members from predatory housing practices and address the challenges of housing affordability affecting military families.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.