Both of California’s Senators called on senior defense leadership Monday to correct health and safety issues in military housing at Camp Pendleton.
Senators Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein authored a letter to Tim Byrne, CEO of Lincoln Military Housing, and Defense Secretary James Mattis seeking immediate resolution of issues reported by the Reuters news agency on Nov 1.
“Some military families have been living in homes infested with mice and their excrement. They’ve experienced cockroach infestations, water leaking from smoke detectors, toxic mold blooms, and mushrooms sprouting from the carpet. They’ve endured leaking roofs, fire hazards, and lead-based paint,” the senators wrote.
“All of these conditions can create serious and costly health issues for the parents and children inhabiting these homes. With more than 7,000 family housing units at Camp Pendleton, the potential impact to families is immense and alarming,” the senators continued.
The senators said that until the problems are corrected, Marines will not be able to deploy with the peace of mind that their families are safe.
Lincoln Military Housing is a private company that operates rental housing at many military installations. President Jarl Bliss accused Reuters of multiple inaccuracies and omissions that paint the company in a poor light.
“Contrary to what the story would lead a reader to believe, we do not profit by skimping on service,” Bliss said in a company-issued statement. “To the contrary, we are most successful when we have satisfied residents who recommend LMH housing to other military families.”
Updated at 4:45 p.m., Monday, Nov. 5, 2018
