 This week, the agency announced that it would be refunding half the cost of rent for all Forest Service employees below a certain pay grade and living in government-owned housing. The temporary action is retroactive to March 10th and will last through the end of September. Up to 5,500 employees are expected to benefit, according to the agency. Wildlife firefighters have been particularly impacted by housing costs. Luke Mayfeld is president of Grassroots Wildlife Firefighters.