Implementation of Comptroller General recommendations relating to critical military housing supply and affordability

(a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall implement each recommendation of the Comptroller General of the United States contained in the report dated October 30, 2024, and entitled, Military Housing: DOD Should Address Critical Supply and Affordability Challenges for Service Members (GAO–25–106208), as those recommendations are modified under subsection (b). (b) Recommendations To be implemented In carrying out the requirements under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall implement the recommendations specified under such subsection as follows: (1) The Secretary shall— (A) perform a structured analysis to develop a comprehensive list of housing areas in which members of the Armed Forces and their families may face the most critical challenges in finding and affording private sector housing in the community; (B) in conducting the analysis under subparagraph (A), consider the unique characteristics of a location, such as vacation rental areas; and (C) regularly update the list required under subparagraph (A) not less frequently than once every two years. (2) The Secretary shall obtain and use feedback on the financial and quality-of-life effects of limited supply or unaffordable housing on members of the Armed Forces, through the status of forces survey and other service or installation-specific feedback mechanisms. (3) The Secretary shall, in coordination with the Secretary of each military department— (A) develop a plan for how the Department of Defense can respond to and address the financial and quality-of-life effects in housing areas identified under paragraph (1); and (B) in developing the plan under subparagraph (A), examine strategies for increasing housing supply or providing alternative compensation to offset the effects of limited supply or unaffordable housing in housing areas identified under paragraph (1). (4) The Secretary shall clarify, through the issuance of guidance to the military departments, the role of the Office of the Secretary of Defense in oversight of the Housing Requirements and Market Analysis process of the military departments to ensure that— (A) the military departments conduct such process in a timely manner; and (B) the Secretary submits to Congress any plans or other matters relating to such process for each fiscal year as required by existing law. (5) The Secretary shall ensure that the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment provides updated guidance to the military departments on how installations of the Department of Defense should coordinate with local communities, including by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of commanders and military housing offices of such installations in addressing housing needs. (c) Non-implementation reporting requirement If the Secretary of Defense elects not to implement a recommendation specified under subsection (a), as modified under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes a justification for such election.