Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III briefs media members, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 17, 2021. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brittany A. Chase)

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON   DC  –  PENTAGON   –   U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged that the pandemic has imposed financial difficulties and hardships on military families.  Austin announced on Wednesday that he is taking immediate steps to alleviate the worst effects and to strengthen economic security in the armed forces.  The defense secretary  spoke during a Pentagon news conference to address the challenges military families are facing. 

“The pandemic and tight housing markets across the country have made financial struggles (for service members and their families) even tougher. With the holidays approaching, I know that this is on the minds of our military communities. And it’s certainly top of mind for me.”

-Defense Secretary Austin said.

The challenges service members face include food insecurity, extended wait times for housing, drastically reduced housing inventories and sudden, sharp increases in rental or purchase costs for housing.  Austin outlined some immediate steps the DOD will take.  “The Department of Defense has temporarily raised the basic allowance for housing in areas that have had a 10% increase in rental costs this year,” he said. “And in places with housing shortages, we are extending temporary lodging expense reimbursements so that families have more time to find a home that fits their needs. ”   

The Department of Defense has temporarily raised the Basic Allowance for Housing in areas that have had a 10 percent increase in rental costs this year. 

“And when it comes to making sure our people have enough to eat, we’ve created a new toolkit that will help leaders identify service members who are struggling … connect service members and their families to resources and support programs … and more,” Austin said.   The defense secretary added that he has directed the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to develop a strategy and implementation roadmap within 90 days to strengthen food security across the force.

“Now, the steps outlined in today’s memo won’t solve all the economic worries that military families face. But they’re important steps, and we’re committed to getting this right. Our men and women in uniform and their families have enough to worry about. Basic necessities, like food and housing, shouldn’t be among them.  This is a readiness issue.  That’s why I’m focused on making sure that our service members and their families have what they need to thrive—so that they can focus on the hard work of defending our nation.”

-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin