Changes on the homefront Published Oct. 20, 2006 By Michael Fletcher 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE -- Housing privatization will come to Altus Air Force Base, effective Dec. 1. GMH Military Housing will assume responsibility for Altus military housing through a 50-year contact with the Air Force and the Department of Defense. Housing privatization is a real estate transaction where a contractor leases and maintains military housing at no cost to the government. GMH Military Housing will handle all housing management, renovation and construction for Altus AFB. "This is a good thing for the Air Force, a positive step for our Airmen," said Col. Michael Mendonca, 97th Air Mobility Wing vice commander. "The Air Force is now out of the housing management business through a program which will save the government money and improve quality of life for our on-base housing residents." A Town Hall meeting tonight at the Freedom Community Center will allow housing residents to hear information from the contractor and to ask their questions about the new project. Residents east of East River Drive are to attend the 5 p.m. session; residents west of West River Drive are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. session that will address separately the specifics for the two housing sections. Lease signing with the housing privatization management office is 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Oct. 16 - 18, at the Freedom Community Center. Residents east of East River Drive are asked to register on Oct. 16; residents west of West River Drive should register on Oct. 17. Residents unable to attend on their scheduled day may register on Oct. 18. A beginning inventory of 963 homes on Altus AFB will be reduced to 726 homes through demolition of the Bicentennial housing area, new construction and unit renovations. The Bicentennial parcel will have 50 new duplex homes constructed for ranks E-1 through E-6. Included will be a pool, a large pavilion, tot lot, playground, a lighted regulation size basketball court and a volleyball court. All new homes will have storm shelters built to FEMA standards. The adjacent Great Plains area, which was built in 1999, will be assigned solely to enlisted ranks E-1 through E-6 ranks. The existing playgrounds will receive surfacing maintenance. "The remaining construction will be in the Capehart neighborhood, where we plan on maximizing the open space while maintaining the separation of rank," said George Carter, housing privatization manager. "Walking and bicycling trails will connect the neighborhoods. Newly designed neighborhoods will have lower density and increase the private family space available. New home construction will only be three and four-bedroom homes, and except for new homes requiring no work, two-bedroom units will be enlarged to four-bedroom homes." For more information, contact GMH Military Housing, 379-4002. Q: How is the rent cost determined? A: Rent is based on the with-dependent" Basic Allowance for Housing received by the eligible military member. If both residents are military, the rental fee is based on BAH with-dependent rate for the senior ranking member minus the calculated utility allowance for the type of unit rented. If a member's BAH is increased, or decreased, due to a promotion/demotion, the rent for the unit will be adjusted up or down accordingly. When you sign your lease, you will be asked to authorize an allotment for the rent. The advantages of payment by allotment are that you will not be required to pay a Security Deposit. Q: What about utilities? A: Your rent will include your electric, gas, water, garbage, and sewer. It includes a Personal Property Insurance policy to cover your personal belongings up to $20,000 with a $250 deductible. Once privatized, and during the transition phase, members temporarily remaining in unimproved houses will surrender entire BAH to Project Owner who will pay all utilities. This is for a short period of time as improvements will be phased to minimize impact to families. Once a unit is renovated or replaced, metered, and 1 year of usage data collected and averaged for their neighborhood, an amount equal to 110% of averaged utility cost for that unit type/size will be retained from their BAH and the occupant will be required to pay the utility company. Q: What about my pets? A: A maximum of two domestic animals such as cats, dogs, hamsters, gerbils, fish and birds are allowed in family housing. Residents living in housing prior to transaction closing will be allowed to maintain their existing pets if they execute a "Pet Addendum." Pet owners have full responsibility and liability for the conduct of their pets, including damage to yards, homes, etc., or hospital bills/veterinary bills incurred as a result of injuries inflicted. Q: Who provides maintenance? A: GMH Military Housing will provide maintenance services. Q: Who will maintain yards? A: GMH Military Housing will cut front and side yards and trim sidewalks, curbs, driveways, and hedges/bushes. If no fence is installed in the backyard, they will provide services there also. If there is a fence, it is the occupant's responsibility.