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Lawmakers press Coast Guard on shore-side infrastructure backlog and unsafe housing conditions
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Summary
Members pressed Admiral Lundy about a multibillion-dollar shore-side infrastructure backlog, examples of hazardous housing for service members, and a perceived mismatch between administrative aircraft purchases and housing spending.
Ranking Member Salud Carbajal and other members told the subcommittee that shore-side infrastructure and housing for Coast Guard personnel are in urgent need of funding and oversight, using specific examples to press Admiral Kevin Lundy for action.
Carbajal cited GAO estimates and local examples, saying that the Coast Guard’s shore-side infrastructure backlog “is actually much higher” than the service’s estimate and that “a member of the coast guard recently fell through the floor of the coast guard's housing as they were taking a shower because the persistent moisture and mold rotted the floor.” He asked for a report on steps the Coast Guard is taking to remediate hazardous housing.
Why it matters: Members framed housing and shore infrastructure as readiness and personnel issues. Carbajal contrasted a reported $21 million shore-side infrastructure budget in the FY2026 request with the multimillion-dollar backlog cited in GAO and said budgets reflect priorities — noting criticism about planned executive aircraft purchases for senior leaders relative to housing dollars.
Supporting details: Admiral Lundy acknowledged mold and moisture problems at specific housing and said the Coast Guard had remediated affected units and moved occupants during repairs, asserting, “None of our members should live in housing units that have mold or other conditions that present hazard for them.” He said the FY2026 request increases O&S and PC&I but that a sustained increase in O&S is needed to address ongoing maintenance demands in harsh coastal environments.
What remained unresolved: Members asked for clearer spending plans and timelines for housing repairs, childcare, and health-care facility upgrades. Lundy said the service would provide additional information for the record, and members indicated they would follow up in writing.
Ending: The hearing highlighted concrete personnel impacts from infrastructure neglect and bipartisan urgency to fund and oversee shore-side repairs and habitability improvements for Coast Guard families.
