MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Erica Thompson, a military spouse and mother of five, traveled to Washington, D.C., in January to stand up for military families facing toxic mold in their homes. This issue is more common than many realize.
Thompson’s advocacy began after her family moved into military housing in 2023. They struggled with high humidity and were advised to get a new air conditioning unit, which they couldn’t afford. Instead, they used dehumidifiers, draining about six gallons of water daily.
Things worsened when mold was discovered. “When they finally came out, they opened the walls without any containment. Mold spread throughout the house,” she explained.
The health impacts were severe. One child fainted, Thompson faced tachycardia, and others had nausea and headaches. Their pet dog suffered seizures and eventually had to be put down.
After moving out, Thompson connected with other military families and learned that the mold problem was widespread. She teamed up with the “Change the Air Foundation,” a nonprofit focused on promoting clean air and advocating for policy changes.
Determined to make a difference, Thompson took her message to the nation’s capital. She worked with U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, to propose changes to the National Defense Authorization Act, aiming to establish standards for mold remediation in military housing.
Recently, Thompson’s family introduced the Military Occupancy Living Defense Act, known as the MOLD Act. This legislation would mandate mold testing and require transparency about the results for families living in military homes.
“Being able to share our story and meet with senators has been empowering. We want to ensure safe housing for future military families,” Thompson stated.
As of now, the bill has been read in the Senate and sent to the Armed Services Committee for consideration.
Mold issues are not new—housing conditions have impacted military families for decades. A survey from the “Military Family Advisory Network” shows that around 13% of military families have experienced housing problems like mold.
Erica Thompson’s journey reflects a pressing need for change. As military families advocate for healthier living conditions, their stories highlight the essential connection between safe housing and overall well-being.
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