New Army IG report paints a bleak-as-hell picture of privatized military housing

[jpak]

https://taskandpurpose.com/army-inspector-general-housing

The U.S. Army Inspector General released its investigation report on privatized housing on Thursday, detailing the dismal conditions soldiers and their families have been facing while offering recommendations on how to fix them.

The Department of the Army Inspector General's (DAIG) report details how soldiers and their families had concerns over safety and environmental issues in the homes; were being kept in the dark about where work orders are going, and what kind of maintenance history their home had; and across the board — residents at every installation DAIG spoke with — felt that "property management company placed the interests of affiliate companies above life, health, and safety."

The report also acknowledges a complete breakdown in oversight of the companies, while highlighting a perception among military families have said often — that they experienced retaliation and retribution by the housing companies for speaking out and submitting multiple work orders, something Task & Purpose has reported on previously.

One portion of the report casts doubt on something Army leaders have frequently pointed to as a way to force the housing companies to improve — withholding the companies' incentive fees. The DAIG writes in its report that this is already being done in some cases, and doesn't hold enough power to force complete change.

<more>

But I thought that "privatization" was a good thing.....

Never mind.

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Thanks, Reagan/Rumsfeld. nt

[marble falls]

2. One of the many things that should never be privatized.

[vlyons]

3. I'll say it again

It's the corruption, stupid. Follow the money. All our so-called leaders care about is money and profit. We have become the Farengi.

[lpbk2713]

4. Typical government operation.

Follow the money trail. You're bound to find DoD brass and present
and former elected officials raking in the coins off this money maker.

[SharonAnn]

6. No, typical "privatization" contracts to siphon $ to cronies.

[lapfog_1]

5. I worked at a Naval base for a decade

The on base housing was... deplorable... all built in the 1940s and falling apart.

The Navy contracted with a private firm to build a small subdivision just off base for the enlisted. You could tell just by driving by it while they were building it that is was going to be shoddy at best (well, my parents were in the construction trade when I was growing up so I visited a lot of building projects as a kid... so maybe it's just me).

Anyway, as soon as the enlisted moved in there were issues like drywall falling off, the houses settled on their foundations that were cracked and caused door to not close, etc. It was a real shit show.

About 10 years later, the entire subdivision was condemned and the houses scraped off... the Navy finally rebuilt all of the on base housing... which is much better (although all of the houses look exactly alike).

[dalton99a]

7. +1