FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (WTVF) — Mold, spiders, roaches and safety issues are just some of the things families across the country are dealing with when they live in military housing.
Fort Campbell families said they are experiencing the same issues. They voiced their concerns at a Town Hall meeting held at the Wilson Theater on post.
“For the amount of money we spend, we still have mold in every bathroom in our house,” said one military spouse.
“For months, I fell asleep to the sound of mice scratching and running through the walls,” added another woman.
Fort Campbell leaders said the meeting was part of an ongoing Army-wide effort to resolve unsatisfactory conditions in Army family housing, Around 200 people attended and spoke out about ongoing issues that included mold, spiders, broken stairs in need of repair and mice.
Fort Campbell leaders apologized to people who spoke out, and vowed to address the issues.
“One of our priorities is taking care of soldiers and their families,” said Maj. Gen. Brian Winski, 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell Commanding General. “How ready can a soldier be if he or she is worried about the quality of their home and the safety of their family?”
The company Campbell Crossing LLC handles about 4400 privatized homes on post. The homes are managed by the company Lendlease. Representatives from the company were on hand to listen to each complaint.
Soldiers' family members said some of the issues have been going on for months, and they have struggled to get help or answers when they reached out to Campbell Crossing directly.
"They gave me the runaround then, and they are giving me the runaround now," said one woman.
The meeting came after military families from across the country shared horror stories about the conditions in their homes at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing two weeks ago. Many of the stories were similiar to what people are experiencing at Fort Campbell. Wives who testified described mold, lead paint, rats and homes that were in disrepair. Many said when they asked for help, they were ignored or treated rudely.
In 2016, the Defense Department's own inspector general cited "pervasive" health and safety hazards at housing facilities. A Department of Defense spokeswoman told CBS News that the military and its housing partners "continue to work together to review housing conditions ... and … evaluate policies and procedures."
Fort Campbell residents experiencing issues in their homes were encouraged to call Campbell Crossing’s Work Order line at (931) 431-3966 or a newly established Housing Complaint Hotline at (270) 956-4728.
