EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Office of the Secretary of Defense issued a revised Military Privatized Housing Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights that now includes all 18 rights effective Aug. 1st.
The revision, which added the final four rights, now addresses the ongoing efforts to ensure these rights are available to the maximum extent possible.
The four outstanding rights are #3 – seven-year maintenance history, #14 – dispute resolution, #15 – rent segregation and #18 – common documents (universal lease). Corvias here, already implemented 17 of the 18 rights and submitted the Universal Lease to the Air Force Engineer Center for approval.
The Universal Lease language requires unique addenda to address additional state-specific legal requirements. Due to this, most Universal Leases are not yet implemented and will go into effect at various times over the next few months after submission and legal review.
The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy-designated installation commanders as the deciding authority for formal dispute resolution under the provisions of the Universal Lease.
“This is a major win for our housing residents,” said Brig. Gen. Scott Cain, 96th Test Wing commander. “Ensuring our Airmen, Guardians and their families have safe, healthy housing options is a top priority.”
At Eglin, the Tenant Bill of Rights empowers residents to work with Corvias and Air Force leadership to resolve issues quickly so they can maintain their focus on the mission.
The rights include protections such as a plain-language briefing, military legal assistance, protection from non-refundable fees and clearly defined rental terms.
The four remaining rights implemented provide for a universal lease for tenants, a dispute resolution process with the ability to withhold rent while the issue is resolved and access to seven years of housing unit maintenance history.
According to Kathy Lawhon, 96th Civil Engineer Group housing branch chief, the dispute resolution process is very defined and military members, their spouses or other eligible tenants may initiate the dispute resolution process.
The first step is for an eligible tenant must go through the informal dispute process starting with the Corvias management staff. If the tenant is not satisfied with the staff response, they can engage directly with Lawhon’s office, located in the Warrior Landing Community Center.
The Housing Branch Office elevates the issue within the Corvias management structure or within the Eglin chain of command. Tenants also have access to other resources such as 24-hour AF Housing Call Center, the 96th TW resident advocate, medical (primary care manager) and the legal office.
Eglin’s Resident Advocate, Brian Heck, is base housing residents’ liaison between the Military Housing Office, Corvias Military Living, and installation leadership.
Heck said his goal as Eglin’s Advocate is to maximize mission readiness by fostering a culture, which ensures military member and their families live in safe, healthy and secure privatized housing residences.
The formal dispute resolution process for eligible housing disputes involves a physical inspection of the unit if the dispute is related to living or physical conditions. The Military Housing Office schedules and conducts the inspection and Corvias, its designee, tenant or tenant’s representatives and dispute resolution investigator, appointed by the Deciding Authority are afforded an opportunity to attend.
The investigator will consider reports from the Military Housing Office, Corvias representative, tenant and any subject matter experts as necessary. The investigator will make a recommendation to the installation commander as the deciding authority who will issue a final written decision and direct any remedies as applicable.
For more information regarding the revised Bill of Rights, the formal dispute resolution guidance and Frequently Asked Questions, please visit Eglin Documents page, or call the military family housing office at (850) 882-8617.