MOLD IN THE MILITARY
Defending the Families Who Defend Us
Every military family deserves a safe home. Together, we can make it happen.
The Issue: Unsafe Homes for Our Defenders
Across the country, military families are living in homes that are falling apart around them. Mold grows in children’s bedrooms. Water is contaminated. Ceilings contain asbestos and walls hide lead. Families experience rashes, headaches, vision loss, respiratory disease, seizures, and even lifelong diagnoses, all because they chose to live on a military installation.
Most Americans don’t realize military housing is no longer government-run. More than 99% is privatized and controlled by third-party companies in a 50-year contract with the government, yet often fail to meet even basic standards of safety. When families get sick or raise concerns, they are too often ignored, or forced to sign non-disclosure agreements just to receive help. Unlike civilian renters, outdated federal laws block military families from having the same legal protections as the neighbors they serve beside.
This is not just a housing issue. It is a readiness issue, a recruitment issue, and a national security issue.
Source: Leyenaar, J., Lanning, J., Romano, C., Goodman, D., Schaefer, A., Taylor, J., Bukowinski, A., Gumbs, G., Perkins, E., Lutgendorf, M., O'Maelly, J., Conlin, A. M., & Hall, C. (2025). Incidence of Medical Complexity in Military-Connected Children. Pediatrics, 155(5), e2024069653. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-069653
Safe Military Housing Survey
Military Families: We Need Your Voice
This year, Change the Air Foundation visited more than 60 offices in Congress. One thing became clear: many leaders do not yet have a full and accurate picture of what military families are experiencing in privatized housing. Congressional offices asked us for credible, independent data—and now we are turning to you.
Our Goal
We are gathering 5,000 survey responses by October 23, 2025.
Who Should Participate
We are seeking input from military families who live or have lived in privatized military housing.
Time Commitment
Less than 10 minutes to complete
Why This Matters
Your anonymous responses will create a trusted, unbiased dataset that will be shared directly with decision-makers in Congress. With enough participation, it will be impossible to ignore the true scope of housing challenges faced by military families. Your voice will help drive lasting reforms to ensure no family sacrifices their health or safety in military housing.
How You Can Help
1. Take the survey
2. Share it with fellow service members and families. Every response strengthens the call for change.
Your story matters. Together, 5,000 voices can make a difference.
Source: Leyenaar, J., Lanning, J., Romano, C., Goodman, D., Schaefer, A., Taylor, J., Bukowinski, A., Gumbs, G., Perkins, E., Lutgendorf, M., O'Maelly, J., Conlin, A. M., & Hall, C. (2025). Incidence of Medical Complexity in Military-Connected Children. Pediatrics, 155(5), e2024069653. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-069653
How Change the Air Foundation Is Advocating for Change
Change the Air Foundation is standing with military families to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are restored. We are:
This is a historic, bipartisan moment. Leaders from both parties are coming together to defend the families who defend us—and Change the Air Foundation is here to make sure those reforms deliver real change.
Change the Air Foundation staff and volunteers took five trips in 2025 to Washington D.C., meeting with both Republican and Democrat offices.
With their children by their side, military spouses Jackie Talarico, Sarah Kline, and Erica Thompson meet with lawmakers to fight for safer housing conditions. Pictured: Jackie Talarico and her two children, Sarah Kline, Erica Thompson and her five children.
In Washington, D.C., we met with over 60 offices to educate officials on toxic exposures in military housing and advocate for NDAA amendments.
Military Resources
Read the latest articles, resources, and real family stories about unsafe housing conditions across the country. Stay informed and see how families are turning their experiences into advocacy for change.
