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Both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have completed work on their annual defense authorization bills, which include competing provisions on military housing benefits. The House bill includes language recognizing the success of the privatized housing program and raises concerns about recently enacted cuts to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). The provision would freeze BAH reductions and compel a report to analyze the sustainability of the privatized housing program.
Conversely, the Senate bill seeks to limit housing benefits for certain service members. Similar to prior proposals, the Senate bill would reduce BAH disbursements for dual military couples with children for an estimated savings of $300 million over 5 years.
The bill has already passed the full House, but is pending consideration in the Senate. NMHC/NAA will continue to educate lawmakers about the privatized housing program and the importance of fully funding housing benefits for military families.
