Military families struggling with frequent moves, housing issues: ombudsman

A report found that Canadian military families are having difficulties finding suitable housing and health care, and providing healthy environments for their children.

Although Canadian military families now receive more support than ever, they continue to face serious challenges, including finding suitable housing and health care, and providing healthy environments for their children, according to a new report from the Canadian Forces ombudsman.

A systemic review conducted by the office of ombudsman Pierre Daigle found that frequent moves across the country -- something nearly all military families experience -- disrupt family relationships, finances, continuity of health care, and children’s education.

All of that has been well documented before, but the ombudsman’s latest report highlights specific findings, including:

The ombudsman’s office surveyed 370 families of current or recently-retired regular force members, and visited 10 Canadian Forces bases.

It noted that, much like households across Canada, the modern military family has become “increasingly complex,” reflecting changing societal norms.

The ombudsman’s report notes that supporting military families has been a “top institutional priority” and that Canadian Forces leadership is committed to their well-being.

However, the report highlights gaps that need to be addressed.

A “significant portion” of families living in military housing said problems such as mold, asbestos and leaky pipes were “major” stressors, according to the report.

Of the 12,248 military housing units across the country, only 0.6 per cent are newly constructed.

“The bulk of existing units were built between 1948 and 1960,” the report states, adding that about 29 per cent of the units are considered to be in poor condition, according to a June 2012 assessment.

The report also highlights concerns with the Home Equity Assistance Program, designed to provide assistance to military families who incur a financial loss when they have sell their home and relocate.

The program provides up to $15,000 in reimbursement, but the ombudsman’s report says the policy is “vague” and the eligibility criteria is so onerous that only two home equity assistance claims have been approved since 2008.

The report also notes that the $15,000 maximum payment has remained the same since 1998, “despite a tripling of average real estate values.”

The ombudsman’s report makes several recommendations to the Canadian Forces, including modernizing military relocation policies and procedures, developing a national employment strategy to assist military spouses and partners, and reviewing the DND housing policy.

Maj.-Gen. David Millar, chief of military personnel, said the army is taking the recommendations and "we're already under way."

A spokesperson for Defence Minister Rob Nicholson said the government “continues to make military families a priority and we remain committed to working with the Armed Forces to ensure that military families have the tools they need to succeed.”

Daigle said he’ll give the system “a year or two” and follow up “to see how things are moving."

With files from The Canadian Press

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