Getty ImagesDamp and moldy accommodation could prompt more people to decide to leave the military unless improvements are made, MPs warn.
The House of Commons Defense Committee concluded that two-thirds of service family homes needed “extensive renovation or rebuilding” to meet modern standards.
The cross-party group says it is “not confident” that funds will be available to address the issue.
A Ministry of Defense spokesman told the BBC that the report “reveals the deplorable state of service equipment that this government inherited and is determined to repair.”
Two years ago, the BBC reported. Military families live in damp and moldy conditions. At the time, the Department of Defense said it was working with its contractors to improve the service.
But the report released on Wednesday said those problems “remain present.”
“It is shocking that until the policy changed in 2022, it was acceptable for families to be housed in properties known for damp and mold,” she said.
In July 2023, the Defense Infrastructure Organization (DIO) – responsible for maintaining and servicing military accommodation – was awarded £400 million to address these issues over the next two years.
But the report said “unresolved issues” remained throughout the property that DIO “must resolve.”
One person told the committee in written evidence that their moisture had been “checked (several times)”.
They were given a “standard package” to fix the issue, which they said was “largely reported as not fit for purpose”.
“This one-size-fits-all approach wastes money and does not get to the root of the problem,” they said.
DIO told the committee it had seen “positive results” in works packages submitted to address damp and mold in “more than 80% of cases”.
The committee said detailed statistics on the number of affected properties should be published by June next year and updated annually.
The report also highlights problems with individual housing.
The report said there were “issues such as lack of hot water for several months in winter, heating outages, flooding, humidity, rat infestations, and inadequate washing and cooking facilities.”
“Older housing complexes often cannot meet the demands and standards of modern living, and this has a negative impact on recruitment and retention,” she added.
The report said 40% of those living in single-occupancy accommodation said the experience of living there had “increased their intention to leave the armed forces” – up from 34% in 2022.
In written evidence to the committee, one person said there were “broken ceiling panels, old bathrooms and washing facilities and furniture and fittings over 40 years old”.
They added that it “does not represent a modern combat force.”
But the committee said it was “not confident” enough money would be available to fix the issues it highlighted.
“The Department of Defense has acknowledged that current funding levels are insufficient to bring all service accommodation up to a decent, modern standard, and that it is investment that will ultimately lead to change.”
However, “in the current economic climate, with so many competing pressures on public funds, we are not confident that the sustained investment required will be forthcoming in future defense budgets.”
The report essentially reflects the situation since May – under the previous Conservative government – with little or no evidence under the current Labor government.
In response, a MoD spokesperson said: “We are advancing our plan for change by renewing the Nation’s Contract with Those Who Serve, and we are working hard to improve the quality of housing for our personnel and their families – including developing new standards.” They said “for service accommodation”.
“We are committed to listening to our people and are appointing a Commissioner of the Armed Forces to serve as a strong, independent champion for individuals and their families to improve service lives.”
Labor Defense Committee Chairman Tan Dhesi said: “It is simply unacceptable to expect those fighting for their country to live in housing suffering from dangerous dampness and mold – conditions that pose a risk to their health and the health of their families.”
“It is clear that many of these problems cannot be solved without significant investments,” he said.
“No matter how difficult the public finances are, the Departments of Defense and the Treasury need to find a way to work together to ensure that all service housing on offer really meets a decent standard.”
