New MOLD Act Takes Aim at Military Housing Crisis: What It Means for 700,000 Families

For decades, service members and their families living in privatized military housing have faced a silent enemy within their own homes: mold. Black mold in bathrooms, contaminated water, and hazardous air quality have plagued military installations across the country, leaving children with chronic respiratory conditions and families fighting landlords who seem more interested in profits than safety.

On January 15, 2026, a bipartisan group of lawmakers said enough is enough. The Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act represents the most significant attempt yet to hold private housing contractors accountable and establish enforceable health standards for the roughly 700,000 service members and family members living in privatized military housing.

The Scope of the Problem

The numbers paint a disturbing picture. According to a recent survey of military families, mold, mildew, or microbial growth are the most commonly reported issues, with a staggering 74% of respondents reporting these problems in their homes. This isn't just about unsightly bathroom tiles—it's about children developing severe asthma, adults experiencing chronic respiratory infections, and families being forced to choose between their health and their service.

Understanding what causes mold to grow helps explain why military housing is so vulnerable. Many of these homes were built decades ago, and private contractors have been slow to address water intrusion issues, inadequate ventilation, and deferred maintenance—all factors that create perfect conditions for mold colonization.

What the MOLD Act Would Do

The legislation, sponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) along with Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), and James Moylan (R-Guam), includes five key provisions according to Stars and Stripes:

1. Enforceable Health Standards: The bill would establish specific, measurable standards that housing contractors must meet, including requirements for acceptable humidity levels set by the Department of Defense.

2. Certified Remediation Requirements: Contractors would be required to use professionals certified in recognized industry standards for mold remediation—a significant upgrade from the current patchwork approach.

3. Independent Third-Party Inspections: New protocols would require independent inspections when tenants move in and establish transparency in reporting health and safety threats.

4. Dedicated Oversight: A DOD oversight office would be established specifically to monitor housing conditions and contractor compliance.

5. 24-Hour Complaint Hotline: The bill would reestablish a round-the-clock hotline for tenant complaints, giving families a direct line to report hazards.

The IICRC S520 Standard: Already in Federal Law

While the MOLD Act makes its way through Congress, military families have already received some protection through the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed into law by President Trump on December 18, 2025. The NDAA includes provisions directing the Secretary of Defense to develop mold remediation guidelines consistent with the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation.

This is significant because the S520 standard is considered the gold standard in professional mold cleanup. It describes the procedures and precautions required when performing mold remediation, from containment protocols to post-remediation verification. The Department of Defense has 180 days to implement these guidelines—meaning military families should see standardized remediation practices by mid-2026.

Criticism: Does the Bill Have Teeth?

Not everyone is convinced the MOLD Act goes far enough. According to Task & Purpose, some legal experts argue the legislation lacks meaningful enforcement mechanisms.

The primary concerns center on three issues:

No mechanism to force payment: While the bill would require contractors to cover certain expenses, critics point out there's no enforcement mechanism to compel compliance.

Expensive litigation: Filing lawsuits in federal court remains prohibitively expensive for most military families, and the MOLD Act doesn't include provisions to cover legal fees for successful plaintiffs.

Reliance on DOD enforcement: The bill relies on the Department of Defense to enforce compliance through audits, performance reviews, and bonus suspensions—the same department that has struggled to address these issues for years.

A Senate staffer told Task & Purpose that contractors who don't comply could face audits and be suspended from housing-related bonuses, but some advocates argue this doesn't go far enough.

What Military Families Can Do Now

Whether or not the MOLD Act passes in its current form, military families dealing with mold issues have options. Proper documentation is critical—photograph all visible mold, keep copies of all maintenance requests, and document any health symptoms family members experience.

Key steps to take:

• ✓Report issues in writing: Create a paper trail by submitting all complaints through official channels and keeping copies.
• ✓Request inspections: Ask for independent inspections and get copies of all reports.
• ✓Understand your rights: Learn about what to do when a landlord won't fix mold and the escalation options available to you.
• ✓Seek medical attention: If family members are experiencing respiratory symptoms, see a doctor and get these visits documented. Medical records can be crucial evidence.
• ✓Know the warning signs: Learn to identify hidden mold and musty smells that indicate mold even when you can't see it.

The Bigger Picture: Mold Lawsuit Settlements

The push for legislation comes amid growing legal accountability for housing providers. According to Palermo Law Group, mold-related settlements have reached significant amounts:

• A low-income housing complex in Oakland, CA paid $33 million to compensate victims of mold contamination.
• Military families near San Diego received $29 million after black mold was discovered in base housing units, causing severe asthma and lung infections in children.
• A seemingly simple leaky roof case resulted in a $48 million settlement in 2021.

These cases demonstrate that when housing providers fail to address mold, the financial consequences can be severe—something the MOLD Act aims to make contractors take more seriously before problems escalate.

What Happens Next

The MOLD Act now moves through the committee process in both the House and Senate. Given its bipartisan support and the growing awareness of military housing conditions, advocates are cautiously optimistic about its chances—though the bill may undergo significant changes before any final vote.

In the meantime, the NDAA provisions requiring S520-compliant remediation standards will begin taking effect, potentially improving conditions even before new legislation passes.

For military families currently dealing with mold issues, the message is clear: document everything, report problems formally, and know your rights. Whether through new legislation or existing legal remedies, accountability for hazardous housing conditions is slowly but steadily increasing.