The Defense Department is studying 21 military housing areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida to determine whether Basic Allowance for Housing rates should be boosted to compensate for rental increases after Hurricane Katrina. Some 16,000 service members and their families reportedly are faced with exorbitant rents in the areas. Added to this figure are members who lived in base housing that was damaged and who need housing in the civilian economy. Affected are active-duty soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines as well as reserve and National Guard members. DoD is considering providing temporary additional funding as well as a permanent change to BAH rates.