Military Families in Key West Sue Balfour Beatty over Allegations of Squalid, Toxic Housing Conditions

Balfour Beatty manages this family housing development at a Key West Naval Air Station. (U.S. Navy photo by Chris Carson)

Nearly 200 military families are seeking justice after living in toxic housing on Naval Air Station Key West.

The lawsuit against Balfour Beatty, the private contractor managing their homes, paints a devastating picture: “Defendants’ maintenance was often worse than subpar—it was dangerous.” These families were exposed to toxic mold, lead paint, asbestos, water damage, and HVAC issues for years, all while Balfour allegedly misled them into thinking their homes were safe.

According to the complaint filed by Just Well Law in Austin, Texas, Balfour Beatty “concealed the horrific conditions from unsuspecting service men and women and their families” and then “systematically failed to properly repair and remediate significant problems.” Families report caved-in ceilings, severe mold infestations, and unsafe repairs that only worsened the danger.

“At times, Balfour employees opened up walls or ceilings to remove mold, in the process exposing the residents to asbestos,” the lawsuit states. The consequences are not just structural—they’re deeply personal. Just Well Law sees the effects in our clients every day: chronic respiratory issues, neurological symptoms, and emotional trauma that lingers long after the damage is done.

This is not Balfour’s first time in court. In 2021, the company pleaded guilty to falsifying maintenance records for military homes nationwide and paid $65.4 million in restitution and fines. Despite this, a 2022 Senate investigation revealed that conditions were still poor—and families continued to suffer. According to a former Balfour employee named in the suit, workers were allegedly instructed to “lie to Navy housing inspectors, block visible damage, and select only ‘perfect’ files for audits.” That kind of deception not only violates basic maintenance standards—it puts lives at risk.

What’s most troubling is that families asked for help. They submitted tickets, called maintenance, and followed the chain of command. But the lawsuit alleges that Balfour’s response was not only inadequate—it was dangerous.

“When service members called Balfour to try and get the problems fixed,” the complaint reads, “the company’s technicians and contractors provided grossly subpar maintenance, and often made matters much worse.” For families already stretched thin by deployments, job stress, and moves, this betrayal of trust is inexcusable.

We applaud the courage of the families speaking out. At Just Well Law we know that mold, water damage, and asbestos aren’t just structural issues—they’re medical ones. No family should be left in the dark or forced to live in unsafe housing. Military families sacrifice so much for our country. As Attorney Kristina Baehr often says, “Your home should be a place of healing, not harm.” We’re committed to holding companies accountable and ensuring that every family has the opportunity to live—and breathe—safely.

Read or listen to the full article by by Konstantin Toropin at Military.com.