My first husband was in the military-I was a student when my cub was born. I don’t know if it is any better now, but then, a basic housing allowance provided basic shelter if you needed to live near the college/university you were attending-housing was in demand and not cheap in the immediate area, so a landlord could charge any outrageous price, have any ridiculous rule, and still have a full rent roll because of a captive student population. Apparently that that not changed...
I had a part-time job, and so was able to eventually buy an old car-my husband had his car at the base where he was-and I moved from that student gulag ASAP to where the housing allowance paid for a better place-I hope this couple does the same-I’m sure someone will rent to a young military family.
I know. I was a Navy wife for many years, into his retirement in 2000. I’m guessing they didn’t have enough for a deposit, maybe? He could go to the equivalent of Navy Relief or something.