Sen. Ossoff Introducing Bill to Ban Private Housing Contractors from Silencing Military Families

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a bill to ban privatized housing contractors from silencing military families.

Sen. Ossoff is introducing the Restore Military Families' Voices Act with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to protect Georgia servicemembers and military families from being silenced by banning housing contractors from requesting that military families sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

While it's currently illegal for privatized housing contractors to require tenants to sign NDAs, landlords are still allowed to request military families sign one.

These NDAs are often used to silence tenants and help contractors avoid responsibility when they fail to provide adequate housing. The use of NDAs also makes it harder for Congress to conduct oversight of these companies due to military families' hesitancy to share information for fear of retribution.

The bill would also close loopholes that allow landlords to require NDAs for legal settlements, strengthen protections for housing whistleblowers, and expand protections for tenants.

"Privatized housing companies have abused non-disclosure agreements to take advantage of servicemembers and military families," Sen. Ossoff said. "I am introducing this bill to ensure that servicemembers and their families have quality housing and can freely report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation."

Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) led the introduction of the bill in the U.S. House.

Sen. Ossoff continues to champion Georgia's servicemembers and military families.

Last month, Sen. Ossoff secured a commitment from the U.S. Army to improve privatized housing and hold contractors accountable during a hearing about funding priorities for military construction projects. Sen. Ossoff also highlighted the ongoing need to improve privatized housing conditions for servicemembers and their families.

Sen. Ossoff's bipartisan Junior Enlisted Housing Affordability Act with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) was signed into law as part of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The law will update how the Department of Defense (DoD) calculates housing allowances for junior enlisted servicemembers with dependents to more accurately assess their housing costs.

In 2022, Sen. Ossoff led an 8-month bipartisan investigation that uncovered mistreatment and neglect of families living in privatized military housing on post at Ft. Gordon. As a direct result of Sen. Ossoff's investigation, the U.S. Army then conducted unit-by-unit inspections of housing on military installations, starting at Ft. Gordon. In 2023, Sen. Ossoff then convened a military housing oversight session to continue his work to improve housing conditions for military families in Georgia and across the nation.

Click here to read the Restore Military Families' Voices Act.

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