{"id":77338,"date":"2024-08-12T21:34:37","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T21:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/08\/12\/military-families-finally-have-a-database-for-housing-complaints\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:26:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:26:13","slug":"military-families-finally-have-a-database-for-housing-complaints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2024\/08\/12\/military-families-finally-have-a-database-for-housing-complaints\/","title":{"rendered":"Military families finally have a database for housing complaints"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Military families now have access to a searchable database of tenant feedback, including complaints, about privatized military housing to aid their research before moving to a new duty station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defense officials announced the launch of the long-awaited DOD Housing Feedback System <\/a>on Aug. 12. The publicly available database allows verified tenants to submit feedback about issues with their housing unit for inclusion in the database. Tenants\u2019 personally identifiable information will be removed from the entry before it\u2019s published in the database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public has access to and can search the new database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe searchability is a huge advantage for military families,\u201d said Kelly Hruska, government relations director of the National Military Family Association. \u201cThe more information they can have on the housing at their new installation, the better off they are and the better choices they can make.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active-duty service members and their dependents currently living in privatized housing can submit feedback. Dependents are also allowed to submit feedback on behalf of service members who are deployed or on assignment. The website verifies occupancy and military status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The database is an additional channel for those living in privatized housing to submit public feedback about their housing conditions and to receive feedback <\/b>from their landlord, officials stated in an Aug. 12 announcement. The DOD Housing Feedback System doesn\u2019t replace the existing processes for submitting maintenance work order requests. Residents should continue to use the channels for submitting these requests first through the community\u2019s property manager or other regular channels to get the problems fixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Defense Department \u201chas a moral obligation to ensure that the spaces where our service members and their families live are healthy, functional, and resilient,\u201d said Deborah G. Rosenblum, acting deputy under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, in the announcement. \u201cThis new feedback system is a critical step to ensuring transparent and timely responses to occupants\u2019 concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The database was one of the reforms to the Military Housing Privatization Initiative included in the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to address problems such as black mold, rodents and other issues plaguing military privatized housing<\/a>. Families were frustrated at the lack of response from some privatized housing landlords and military leaders. DOD and service officials have taken a number of steps to improve housing and their oversight<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The database\u2019s searchable information includes service branch, installation, landlord and type of feedback, such as structural problems, mold\/moisture\/water intrusion, heating, air conditioning and ventilation and lead-based paint, among others. The public can also search within specific time frames. Information was not immediately available about whether the feedback will include positive comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the feedback is published, the local military housing office will review the information. Landlords can respond through the website, and their responses are also published after review, according to the database. Most landlords respond within 10 days, officials stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\t