Air Force wins with privatized housing

Published Aug. 6, 2013
By Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Quality and service is the driving motivation behind the privatization of base housing throughout the Air Force and provides Airmen and their families with a wide variety of amenities and support services.

"Our privatized housing partners focus on providing excellent service to their residents, from top-notch houses and communities, to snacks and warm beverages in the community center and community-wide events," said Maj. Kathryn Kilker, Air Force Space Command Housing Branch chief.

The Air Force recently awarded Balfour Beatty Communities with the project to privatize the base housing at six Midwest locations that includes Cavalier AFS, Minot AFB, Grand Forks AFB, Ellsworth AFB, Mountain Home AFB and Cannon AFB.

With the completion of housing at Cavalier, all Air Force Space Command housing will be privatized.

"Privatization saves taxpayer money and living in a privatized community offers the benefits of a military community while, at the same time, providing better quality, well maintained and professionally managed homes," said Jeffery Murray, AFSPC housing privatization acquisition program manager.

At Cavalier AFS, BBC will be responsible for demolishing the existing 12 homes and constructing 14 new homes within six years. In addition, since North Dakota has been known to get cold at times, BBC will be building a community center with an indoor playground and splash park, as well as outdoor tennis courts, volleyball courts, picnic areas, walking paths and other recreational facilities throughout the housing area.

"We are very excited to welcome BBC to Cavalier Air Force Station and look forward to partnering with them for a better community," said Lt. Col. Michelle Kneupper, 10th Space Warning Squadron commander. "This partnership will improve the quality of life for housing residents of Cavalier Air Force Station for years to come.

"Our goal is to provide military families with safe, quality, affordable, and well-maintained housing," she said. "This project will allow us to do just that."

Privatizing housing will also allow Airmen there to focus on the mission.

"Cavalier's sparse manning will also get some relief since housing will be managed by the privatization staff, allowing the military to focus on the mission," Murray said.

At Peterson, privatized family housing was completed in October 2012. Tierra Vista Communities owns the family housing and is responsible for maintaining, repairing and managing the community.

"Throughout our AFSPC privatized housing projects, we have witnessed a higher level of customer service as evidenced through improved annual customer satisfaction ratings," said Kilker.

The base housing at Peterson offers state-of-the-art design and technology, incorporating the most modern and efficient construction techniques and processes, with environmental sustainability integrated into every aspect of design. Newer homes include spacious kitchens and ENERGY STAR appliances, home office space with technology niches, as well as covered porches and patios for integrating indoor and outdoor living.

For more information about Cavalier base housing, go to http://www.housing.af.mil/cavalier or call (701)993-3688. For more information about Peterson base housing, go to http://www.housing.af.mil/peterson/ or call 556-4777.