In a testimony to the House Appropriations subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, Paul Cramer, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for sustainment (installations), provided insight into how the the DoD’s Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) is developing.

“We have worked to draw up department-wide privatization housing policies to reinforce and expand our programmatic oversight of MHPI housing projects,” said Cramer. He noted that the MHPI reforms being conducted have been stipulated by law in the FY20 and FY21 National Defense Authorization Acts.

Cramer said the military has hired approximately 500 employees in the military housing offices to assist with issues ranging from customer service to quality assurance.

Other housing reform policies being enacted include: senior leader engagement to collaborate internally and with MHPI companies on housing issues; taking necessary corrective actions to rebuild trust with military members and their families; and providing transparency and frequent communication with MHPI tenants, an Army press release reports.

During the hearing, Elizabeth A. Field, director, defense capabilities and management, Government Accountability Office, reported that the DoD has successfully implemented actions including: issuing a tenant bill of rights; instituting standardized quarterly reviews of the military department privatized housing portfolios, with a focus on quality and condition; and other key housing provisions.

Photo By Cpl. Erin Tansey