When all is said and done, when the whole process is examined in detail and projected, it is the House and Senate members who must determine where they will live.
The congress has determined that barracks like living is not for them. They prefer to live on the existing economy. If there were a will to manage the population of the District Of Columbia, the Congress would have done so.
There is no Constitutional guidance on the subject so far as I know
So the Republicans could pass a bill specifying how it works, and re-introduce it when the Republicans win the Senate again. At some point when common sense prevails, it becomes a law. Simple enough.
Of course they do, Bert!
But just to correct you, those apartment buildings are NOT barracks. They're apartments for military families, and of course those are dependents (civilian wives, husbands, kids) who are not subject to the UCMJ. Also, certain civil laws prevail upon the military landlord similar to civilian rule, such as restrictions on search and seizure as described in the 4th and 5th amendments of the Constitution.
Congress has no problem determining their fate or their renumeration, if any, for living in a high cost area do to their husbands/wives service. But as we used to say, "The Army/Air Force/Navy did NOT issue you a dependent, so suck it up! I'm sure those dependents tug their forelocks in honor and gratitude of and for their Congressional superiors.
Congress determines... That's kind of humorous.
Just like they've decided it is okay for them to be able to use insider information connected to their law making and testimony to them in order to be able to buy and sell stocks before the general public has access to the same information.
And I'm sure a host of other determinations they've decided (in their favor, of course).