Jen Kiggans: “I disagree with my colleague. Privatization is one solution, and privatization of family housing has come a long way. Is…”

“I disagree with my colleague. Privatization is one solution, and privatization of family housing has come a long way. Is it perfect, no, but it is a step in the right direction, and it is certainly a lot better than what we used to have, which was simply the defense budget and the government running all of family housing. Family housing has come a long way since we have privatized it. There is a lot of oversight needed, and Congress needs to continue to provide the oversight so that we have the best family housing available for our military families who serve right along with our Active-Duty servicemen and -women. Privatization is one way that we can think outside the box. The defense budget is always inadequate. We just don't have the amount of money that it takes to refurbish and redo all of the unaccompanied housing, all of the barracks that we have seen and that were listed in that scathing GAO report that came out. It is one solution. Right now, we just have two. We have one in Norfolk and one in San Diego. We have two models of privatization. Having visited the one in Norfolk, it is amazing to see the quality- of-life differences. They have private bedrooms. They have a communal kitchen that has actual spaces for them to make nutritious meals. We have things like a gym. There is a pool and even a Jacuzzi and basketball courts. There is a theater room. There is a library.…”