Greetings from MOAA!

Thanks to your advocacy, and the collective efforts of hundreds of MOAA members and supporters, Congress is taking steps to address housing affordability for servicemembers. 

In the defense portion of H.R. 1, the recently passed budget reconciliation “megabill,” Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will see a $2.9 billion plus up to reduce or completely eliminate out-of-pocket housing costs.

While specific implementation plans are not yet finalized, this funding represents a meaningful response to an issue long prioritized by MOAA and its advocates.

Why It Matters

Servicemembers once received 100% of their housing allowance, but starting in 2015, Congress approved a series of reductions that left the benefit at just 95%, requiring servicemembers and their families to make up the difference out-of-pocket.

This provision in the reconciliation package reflects growing recognition that housing affordability directly affects readiness, retention, and financial security.

It also underscores the power of your advocacy.

MOAA’s Government Relations team works year-round to engage lawmakers and build trusted relationships on Capitol Hill, but those efforts are significantly amplified when constituents speak up.

Your messages help personalize these issues, remind lawmakers of who they represent, and reinforce that these challenges are real, urgent, and broadly felt.

What’s Next

This funding is an important step, but it’s not a permanent fix.

The provision offers temporary relief, and its impact will depend on how quickly and effectively the DoD puts the funds to use. There is a set window for spending the money, and until a long-term solution is in place, housing affordability will remain a concern for many in uniform.

MOAA will continue to advocate for lasting improvements to BAH and for broader efforts to strengthen quality of life across the force.

Sincerely,

MOAA Government Relations
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
www.moaa.org