Rep. Panetta to introduce military housing bill

SEASIDE, Calif. —

Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, plans to introduce a bill that would improve military housing on the Central Coast and across the country.

The Better Military Housing Act would require the Department of Defense to work with military families to improve privatized military housing. The goal is to provide better oversight and enhance the health, safety, and quality of housing leased out through private contractors.

"I had a chance to look over that bill and there are several things that I think would be very positive in the responsibilities of housing companies and private partners of the military in improving the quality of resident's lives," said military spouse Genevieve Larsen.

Larsen and her family have been stationed in the Monterey Bay area for eight months. She also serves as the program coordinator for the Monterey Bay Military Mayoral Program, a volunteer group dedicated to providing services and facilitating resident problems for local military families.

Larsen said during her eight month stay in Monterey she has heard a number of complaints about the housing program.

Most military families forfeit their basic allowance for housing to the Parks at Monterey Bay in exchange for housing. The Parks is a private contractor and renters, both civilian and military alike, complain about mold issues, maintenance problems and a lack of communication and transparency.

"Transparency, it's a big issue," said military wife Aril McFaden.

McFaden lives in one of the newer homes leased by the Parks at Monterey Bay. Prior to her husband joining the Utah National Guard, McFaden worked in Property Management for six years in San Diego, she said if she was in charge things would be different.

"I think it is a great idea that changes are happening because it needs to happen," said McFaden about the bill.

The young mother said her problems with The Parks staff started before she move into her home. McFaden said the application process lacked communication and for weeks her family was left in limbo not knowing if there would be housing for them when they arrived on the Central Coast.

The communication hasn't gotten better. McFaden said when there is a maintenance issue it's hard to know if and when it will be fixed. The other big issue she had was getting information about the house she was moving into, specifically whether or not there had been a past mold issue.

"We know not all mold is toxic, but anytime mold is in a house it's very concerning as a resident that that would be in your home," said Larsen.

Larsen said mold is the single biggest complaint she hears from residents through the Monterey Bay Military Mayoral Program.

Congressman Panetta has cited an acute problem with mold and a lack of communication on the Monterey Peninsula as inspirations for writing the new legislation. The issues are not isolated to Monterey but are happening across the country and the bill aims to solve those problems.

The Better Military Housing Act has bipartisan support and Rep. Richard Hudson, R-North Carolina, has already agreed to co-sponsor the bill.