New reg protects DOD renters Published Aug. 21, 2008 By Danielle Gregory Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Staying out of foreclosure is the number one priority for some homeowners; however foreclosure is now something even a renter has to worry about. A large percentage of military members choose renting over buying because they are always moving. According to the Pentagon, 65 percent of Americans own their homes, only 25 percent of service members are homeowners. A recent change to the Joint Federal Travel Regulations will allow the military to pay to move servicemembers and their families whose landlords have defaulted on their property payments. "This provides Tinker families a new safety net if they have been dislocated because their landlords default on their mortgages. It does not apply to military members who own their own homes and default on their loans," said Lowell Bynum, housing manager. The change was approved Aug. 8 and is retroactive to July 30, when President George Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. "This change in the Joint Federal Travel Regulation ensures that they are financially protected when this happens and shows that we as a department care about our troops and their welfare," said Mr. Bynum. In addition, the Housing Office urges all service members to take advantage of free legal and financial counseling offered at all military installations and through the Military OneSource website. For more information contact Carol Loyd or Kathi England in Tinker Housing Referral Office located in Bldg 5927 for assistance.