Service Member Housing Relief Act
Sponsored By: Representative Levin
Introduced
Summary
This bill would make it easier and permanent to adjust the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for members of the uniformed services. It would lower the trigger for a temporary adjustment from 20 percent to 15 percent and remove a prior authorization clause in law.
Show full summary
- Military households: Would become eligible for temporary BAH adjustments at a lower threshold, so housing pay could respond when local housing costs move by 15 percent instead of 20 percent.
- Department of Defense officials: Would have permanent statutory authority to implement temporary BAH adjustments and the bill strikes the prior subparagraph (C) basis for that authorization.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier housing allowance boosts for troops
If enacted, the Defense Secretary could trigger a temporary Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) change when the local BAH rate moves 15% or more. Current law uses a 20% trigger. This would make it easier to raise allowances when rents spike, but changes would still be optional and temporary. The bill would also make this adjustment authority permanent and remove a prior authorization clause. It would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Levin
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 6/20/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov