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This week, Congress began reconciling the differences between the House and Senate defense authorization bills passed earlier this year. NMHC/NAA are encouraged by signs that the final 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will include a reversal of reductions to military housing benefits. Previous defense authorization bills set in motion a five percent overall reduction to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), and NMHC/NAA have long-raised concerns about the negative impacts of such cuts on the sustainment of privatized military housing projects.
NMHC/NAA strongly support House-passed language (Section 604) that recognizes the negative impacts of BAH reductions in housing recapitalization efforts. The provision effectively halts BAH cuts and institutes measures to advance the long-term financial health of privatized housing. While the Senate-passed bill also addresses privatized housing, that measure includes unworkable requirements and case-by-case approvals before a housing provider can obtain relief from BAH reductions.
NMHC/NAA have circulated letters to both Chambers in support of the House package and will continue to advocate for the full funding of military housing benefits and the preservation of privatized military housing.
