SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — San Diego military families packed a community center Monday as a last resort claiming they have been displaced and living in and out of hotels as their homes rot away while no one does anything to fix the problems – not Congress, not even the private contractors hired to lease the homes.
Cami Dietz on Monday brought a piece of her disgusting bathroom wall to make a point.
“This was in between the bathroom. That looks like mold to me,” she said.
Navy Commander Brien Dickson was fully aware of the problems facing military family homes like that of Dietz. The homes are part of Chesterton base housing that have been plagued by concerns of hazardous mold and infestation.
Officials maintain the homes are safe, but the military mom is one of many in San Diego demanding further inspection – worried conditions are making children sick.
“My daughter is having asthma attacks and is breaking out,” said Dietz.
Lincoln Military Housing, the tenant, is a private contractor put in charge of managing homes on the base. A Lincoln Housing representative refused to speak to News 8 about the issues raised by military families.
“I think the contracts need to be pulled. We call them [Lincoln Housing] slumlords,” said Dietz.
Just before the holidays last year, Military families were given hours to move their stuff out and into hotels. They were told the contractor would be making the necessary fixes.
“They paint over mold. That is putting lipstick on a pig. That is what everyone calls these houses. Their lipstick on a pig,” said Dietz.
What’s next? The courts.
Many families are exploring lawsuits, and some are already in litigation. The family now join many other military families across the country suing privatized base housing over unsafe conditions.