For Immediate Release

February 23, 2000

DEFENSE DEPT. DECISION ON HOUSING ALLOWANCE ANNOUNCED

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said Wednesday he was "pleased that the Defense Department acted swiftly in reversing the negative impact of its new housing allowance policy," which required many area military families to assume higher out-of-pocket housing costs.

      "We brought this problem to Secretary Cohen’s personal attention, and after sending a team to Washington State and other areas that were adversely affected, he has made a prompt and equitable decision to restore the housing allowance in areas where it was decreased," Rep. Dicks said.

      Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen issued the announcement at the Pentagon today. He said he was proposing legislation to Congress and that the change would be retroactive to January 1, 2000, when the new policy became effective.

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