Town hall meeting addresses new housing Published Jan. 22, 2007 By SSgt Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Vance Air Force Base housing residents got an official update on the new enlisted housing units at a town hall meeting Oct. 28 in the base auditorium. The meeting was televised live for those who could not attend and covered where the process has been, where it is, how the units will be filled and who qualifies for them. Team Vance leadership came up with the plan "to make (filling the units) fair," said Col Fred Cheney, 71st Mission Support Group commander. Colonel Cheney began with a review of where the housing construction project has been. Briefing slides from a town hall meeting in 2003 showed square footage and amenities of the new houses. They also explained how the tear down of the 54 old houses was completed on schedule, and that the completion for the housing turn over is set for May 1. The contractors are not required to turn over any units early, Colonel Cheney said. "However, where we are now is that we have a pretty good idea some will be turned over in February and April," he said. The possible Feb. 1 turn over includes 17 junior enlisted homes and six senior NCO units. The possible April 1 turn over includes 21 junior enlisted homes, eight senior NCO units and two chief homes. Along with the new homes comes a change in housing policies, said Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant Jeff Kallas. "We're bringing the availability of a personal preference choice," he said. Currently, any Airman or NCO signing up for a new home preference must choose the new 1,760 square foot unit. "In addition, if you sign up for a 1,760 square foot home, that is what you will get," Colonel Cheney said. "So you may have a longer wait." Colonel Cheney then explained how the new homes will be filled. "There's not enough for everyone, and Vance (AFB) must maintain 98 percent occupation of new and old units," he said. Therefore, qualification is divided into two categories. The new units will first be filled with the Airmen, NCOs and senior NCOs on the housing waiting list. Then the Airmen, NCOs and senior NCOs either in officer housing or the senior NCOs not in senior NCO housing may move. The Air Force will pay to move those in either category, Colonel Cheney said. However if those in the second category are satisfied in their current home, they will not be forced to move. Qualification to be placed on the housing waiting list was broken down further. In accordance with Air Force Instruction 32-6001, anyone on the list has to have at least six months' retainability. Anyone inbound to Team Vance or living downtown can be listed, as well as any member currently in a two bedroom who now qualifies for a three bedroom based on number, age and sex of dependents. Any senior NCO in a junior enlisted home or any enlisted person living in an officer home can also be placed on the list. Colonel Cheney and Chief Kallas then spoke briefly on the next housing project, which is the privatization of 229 Vance AFB homes in 2007. With the privatization, homes are leased to a developer for 50 years and the occupants pay a minimal "rent." The Air Force pays the residents 110 percent of their estimated utilities and the rest of their Basic Allowance for Housing is that rent. The Air Force and Air Education and Training Command goal with privatization is to ultimately house military families within Air Force communities. Vance AFB is not expecting to have the uprooting problem when privatization construction begins, Colonel Cheney said. Finally, the colonel and chief explained what people should do to receive a new unit. Those already on the list should communicate their personal preference to the housing office and should update their current lease information. Those who qualify for the housing list can sign up for it. Enlisted families in officer housing who want to move do not need to sign up but need to notify the housing office of their preference. Anyone with any questions can call housing at 7949, a first sergeant or their superintendent. The town hall meeting concluded with a summary, thanks from Chief Kallas and audience questions which covered bedroom qualifications and privatization information.