Rep. Horn Introduces Bipartisan Military HOMES Act

Press Release

On Monday, Congresswoman Kendra Horn (D-OK) led a bipartisan coalition to introduce the Military Housing Oversight, Maintenance, and Enhancement for Servicemembers (HOMES) Act. This legislation provides stronger protections for military families renting on-base housing from private contractors, building on the progress made under the Tenants Bill of Rights which passed last year. Original cosponsors include Reps. Michael Waltz (R-FL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Michael Turner (R-OH). Text of the Military HOMES Act is available here.

The bill creates uniform basic housing standards and inspection requirements for all government-owned and controlled military family housing. The Military HOMES Act also provides reimbursement for military families who lost property due to mold damage, transparency in performance incentive fees for housing contractors, and a dedicated housing liaison to assist military families navigating on-base housing problems.

"The Military HOMES Act is a part of our ongoing fight for service members and military families at Tinker and across the country," said Congresswoman Horn. "Military families have experienced unsafe and unhealthy housing conditions at privatized on-base in Oklahoma and nationwide. This blatant disregard for service members and families who have put everything on the line for our country is unconscionable," Congresswoman Horn said. "Last year, I was proud to pass the Tenants Bill of Rights as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act. This bill takes the next step by providing additional protections for service members and increasing transparency in military housing."

"Our service members have risked everything to protect our nation and preserve our freedoms," said Congressman Waltz. "They should not have to worry about the health and welfare of their families while performing their duty in the service of our country. Last year, the President signed into law the Tenant's Bill of Rights, which I co-authored. The Military HOMES Act builds upon on that progress to provide our military families peace of mind of a safe and happy home."

"No military family should ever have to live in unsafe housing," said Congressman Kim. "Thanks to Congresswoman Horn's leadership, this bipartisan effort will help ensure every military family can have the peace of mind of a home they can be proud of and safe in. I look forward to working with her and our colleagues to pass this bill into law."

Late last year the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, including a Tenants Bill of Rights to address unsafe housing conditions on military bases.

In December, the House Committee on Armed Services also held a hearing to question military housing maintenance provider Balfour Beatty about the company's failure to maintain military housing and the bonus payments it received after falsifying maintenance documents. Congresswoman Horn called on Balfour Beatty's CEO to return all bonus payments the company received during years when employees falsified maintenance records.