Virginian-Pilot: Bill Aims To Let More Troops Get Section 42 Housing

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye proposed Monday that members of the military be allowed more leeway than civilians when seeking to rent low-income housing.

The Norfolk Democrat is introducing legislation that would permit members of the military to not include their housing allowance when calculating their family's income for applications for Section 42 rental housing. Developers of Section 42 housing are given a tax break in exchange for building and operating more affordable housing. Tenants must meet income standards.

Nye said that a Navy petty officer second class stationed in Virginia Beach and supporting a family of three would not qualify for subsidized housing. The service member has a salary of $29,871 and also receives a $16,920 annual housing allowance. Those payments combined exceed the $36,660 income limit for Section 42.

Under Nye's bill the military housing allowance would not be counted as income, making the family eligible for the housing.

Some families at nine military facilities - none in Virginia - already qualify for such housing. Nye's bill would cover personnel at all U.S. military installations.

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