Housing officials prepared as PCS season approaches

Published April 18, 2011
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- It's going to be a busy summer for the Air Force and privatized housing divisions on Peterson Air Force Base.

April kicks off the start of the permanent change of station moves for military personnel.

Tierra Vista Communities, the company that owns and manages 579 houses on base, has projected a 43 percent turnover for the PCS season. Meanwhile, the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron's Capital Asset Management Office, formerly known as the Housing Office, expects to handle all of those incoming and outgoing PCS moves, even if Airmen and their families live off base.

The two offices work hand in hand to help inbound and outbound Airmen have a positive move experience, said Joey Sanchez, 21st CAMO chief.

"There is a great partnership between Tierra Vista and the Air Force," Ms. Sanchez said. "We work side by side on everything we do so Airmen have different avenues to accomplish the same goal - because we all have the same goal, which is to take care of our Air Force families."

The 21st CAMO office provides a number of services to help Airmen get relocated to Peterson AFB and Colorado Springs including housing referral for on and off base housing; mediation between Airmen and landlords; housing discrimination cases; government-paid contract and Do-It-Yourself moves.

"Everyone who PCSs either in or out should be stopping by our office," Ms. Sanchez said. "We can handle any housing concern - we will go the extra mile."

In September 2007, the U.S. Air Force partnered with Actus Lend Lease to develop, build, renovate, finance and maintain 1,466 homes in Tierra Vista Communities on Peterson, Schriever and Los Angeles Air Force Bases.

Within Peterson's housing area, there are legacy houses being demolished and new houses being built. In November 2010, Tierra Vista began the latest phase of housing construction -- 110 new homes were built. All told, 338 new houses have been built with an overall occupancy rate of 95 percent. In this phase, crews have demolished 72 legacy houses.

In the next phase, off Tyndall Avenue, 34 new houses are under construction and are expected to be completed by mid-July. That phase of construction also includes a tennis court, said Amanda Ceser, Tierra Vista community manager.

Inbound Airmen who would like to apply for base housing can apply online at the Tierra Vista website or pick up an application in the Tierra Vista community management office or CAMO, Building 1425.

"Our partnership is second to none," Ms. Sanchez said. "I don't think other bases have the same rapport and vibe that we have."

Here is what your 21st Capital Asset Management Office, Building 1425 (old base exchange), can do for you:
· Accept applications for base housing. Airmen need a copy of their orders, Air Force form 4422 and a recent copy of a Leave and Earning Statement.
· Provide housing referral services for on and off base.
· Serve as a mediator in tenant/landlord disputes.
· Look into housing discrimination complaints.
· Handle non-temporary storage orders for Airmen who live on base. Airmen must make the arrangements for non-temp storage within 30 days of move in.
· Handle government-paid moves and Do-It-Yourself move entitlements.
· For more information about CAMO services, call 556-4777.

Tierra Vista Communities, LLC, Building 1425
· To apply for base housing or to find out more information about Tierra Vista, go to www.peterson.tierra-vista.com.
· Tierra Vista hosts "Residents First" community events every other month. An Easter Bunny will visit April 22. For a full calendar of events go to www.peterson.tierra-vista.com.