PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) -- Inadequate housing arrangements have long plagued the U.S. military with on base living quarters falling short of satisfactory. Now, new federal funding is expanding the range of which sailors can receive a basic housing allowance. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 grants a housing allowance to enlisted members ranked E-6 or below, who go on sea duty, according to Section 622. Under this change, junior sailors may now be eligible to receive a basic housing allowance to live off the ships — a common goal for those wanting to escape the confines of the cramped barracks. The defense bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Dec. 23. Military housing in general is being revamped, specifically in Hampton Roads, as plans to expand and remodel are underway. “There’s been a lot of problems with military housing," Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said, in a Zoom conference on Thursday, Jan. 16. "Not just in the Navy, but in the other branches as well." In an emailed statement on Friday, Jan. 17, Naval Air Station Oceana said they are committed to providing livable housing conditions that is supported by the federal funding. “Naval Air Station Oceana (NAS) is committed to the well-being and quality of life of our sailors and their families," the statement reads. "Support allocated to NAS Oceana through the National Defense Authorization Act allows us to continue with that commitment by providing the necessary funding to ensure our service members have access to safe and affordable living options.” Previously, unmarried sailors ranked E-3 and below were required to stay in the barracks, an often less than ideal situation. A September 2023 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office studied a correlation between poor living conditions and poor mental health in the military. The report also cited negative effects stemming from the stringent requirements. One service member, described in the 2023 report, was required to give up a pet after a divorce due to being required to return to the barracks based on his lower rank and new marital status. "On-base housing for families in Hampton Roads and elsewhere — those contracts were not managed properly," Kaine said. "And so many military families were living in private housing covered by contracts with the Pentagon that were substandard. We’ve worked on that." Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented on the lack of essential housing at Hampton Roads military bases, specifically citing Air Force Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Newport News and Hampton as a site in need of resources. The base gained a surpass of military personnel after Florida was hit hard during the hurricane season last year, causing the F-22 unit to be relocated. "Many of our bases don’t have sufficient housing," Kaine said. "I mean Langley would be a good example of a base where we were short of on-base housing already. And then after a hurricane that affected Fort Tyndall, in Florida, we moved missions an F-22 training mission from Florida to Langley … that came with a lot of people and no more housing." The government is trying to upgrade barracks and single-persons housing, but it could still use some work, Kaine said. The issuance of a basic housing allowance is just part of an ongoing process to improve conditions. At time of publication, WAVY has reached out to all Hampton Roads bases as well as the regional fleet command for comment, but have only received an official statement from Oceana.