Funds approved to cushion housing transfer                           Chris Rasmussen Leader Staff

Congress gave family housing a boost last week, awarding $15 million for additional new homes on Fort Jackson. Due to high interest rates, only 503 new homes were going to be constructed as part of the Residential Community Initiative –– the transfer of family housing operations to a private company, Balfour Beatty Communities. The additional funds will now allow 610 new homes to be built. “Because of the interest rates, we were going to have to reconfigure how many homes could be built,” said Karen Padgett, community manager for Balfour Beatty Communities. “The funds Congress gave RCI will allow us to build more homes.” Family housing operations will be transferred to Balfour Beatty Aug. 1. Until then, residents will continue to call in service orders and work with the current staff until July 31. Starting Aug. 1, Soldiers residing in family housing will be required to sign a Resident Responsibility Agreement (lease) and establish an allotment to cover rent, utilities and renter’s insurance. The amount of the allotment is the same as the BAH at the dependent rate. “Effective Aug. 1, the partner will take over all operations in family housing,” said Emma Watson, RCI director. “That means housing assignments, terminations, new construction and everything that deals with family housing, will be conducted by the partner.” The Army announced in May 2007 the selection of GMH/Centex Military Communities to prepare a Community Development and Management Plan as part of the initiative to privatize family housing at Fort Jackson. Balfour Beatty, which purchased GMH in April, will now be responsible for development, construction, maintenance and management of family housing at Fort Jackson. Initial plans called for constructing 610 new homes, renovate 240 existing homes and demolishing about 865 homes. “The plan for new construction did not change. What changed is the scope of work for the renovated units,” Watson said. “The renovations will make the homes more up-to-date and more modern and will provide more open floor plans.” Demolition of existing homes to make way for new home construction is expected to take place in September. Balfour Beatty Communities’ current family housing projects put them on 37 military installations with approximately 26,000 privatized military housing units under lease.  “Balfour Beatty Communities is ready to begin working with the residents of Fort Jackson,” Padgett said . “With customer service in mind, office hours are designed to accommodate the residents’ needs for visiting the office. Residents can place applications, check their status on the waiting list, receive move-in instructions, place service requests and discuss specific needs with the management staff.” In the case of an emergency, personnel are available 24 hours a day with an immediate response and resolution.  “Balfour Beatty Communities is committed to long-term solutions to maintenance problems, not just cosmetic fixes,” Padgett said. “We want to foster pride of ownership in homes and community by effectively maintaining physical appearance, cleanliness and state of repair for properties and surrounding landscapes.”