HomeNewsArticle Display

Tinker residents meet their new community developer GMH, largest and most successful housing provider in DOD

  • Published
  • By Brion Ockenfels
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  Tinker military members and their families attended a town hall meeting Tuesday at the Base Theater to learn more about plans for privatizing Tinker Air Force Base's military family housing and ask questions about how it will impact their lives.
   "You're going to get straight answers here," said Col. Mark Correll, 72nd Air Base Wing commander, who answered questions from the audience.
   "On April 1 of this year, we will have privatized housing at Tinker AFB," said Col. Correll.    
   For those who do sign up to remain in Tinker's family housing, beginning April 1 residents will no longer be responsible for their lawn maintenance except in fenced-in back yards.
   There are will be no out of pocket expenses for initial rent, no pet deposit and no security deposit.
   Additionally, the pets currently authorized in housing remain authorized in housing. Tinker's military family housing community will remain inside Tinker fences and the base will continue to provide security, fire and emergency services to the on-base neighborhoods.
   "It is critically important you make a decision about whether or not you want to enjoy the benefits of living on base now," said Col. Correll. "Personnel who have not signed lease by 31 March must be out of their military family housing unit."
   "We are mobilizing base resources to help you accomplish the transition.
   "If you are deploying soon, we are here to help you, if the military member is deployed, we are here to help you," he said.
   "Tonight before you leave, pick-up one of the housing information release forms, get it signed and turned in. This allows the developer to contact and provide you with important information. They can not contact you unless you give them permission to do so," Col. Correll added. For those who did not attend the town hall meeting these forms are available at the Base Housing Office.
   GMH must follow the same privacy act guidelines for the protection housing information content as the government. Signing the release forms allows GMH to contact you with important information and lease signing appointments, according to base legal office officials.
   As early as this summer you will begin to see construction here at Tinker, said Barrett Larwin, vice president, GMH West.
   "Of the three bases grouped in the Air Mobility Command West project," Mr. Larwin said, "Tinker will have 400 new units built. And these homes will be built to Federal Emergency Management Agency standards for the area and have storm shelter." Tinker currently has 694 revenue producing units. Many of the homes are at least 46 years old.
   Under the proposal, the government will lease 225 acres of land for 50 years to the private developer. Twenty-five of those acres are currently undeveloped.
Mr. Larwin said, some units will not be rebuilt in their current location because of flood plain issues.
   Base officials anticipate the developer would take five to seven years to complete the project.
   "Upon completion, there will be a total of 660 privatized housing units. This number is subject to change based on manpower requirements for Tinker," said Carol Hill, Tinker's base housing privatization program manager.
   Most concerns expressed during the meeting focused on utilities and leases.
   "Utilities will remain the same as they are today until the developer installs meters at each housing unit," said John Schaaf, GMH regional vice president. Initially both rent and utilities will be covered by BAH and it will be summer of 2010 before anyone will see a bill.
   There is an incentive, once billed if your energy use is less than 110% of the average for that type unit you will get to pocket the difference, said John Schaaf.
   When the developer takes ownership of base housing in April, leases will run for one year initially and then month to month. Standard "military clause" rules are in place to allow you end your lease if you PCS or go TDY for more than 90 days. Rent will paid directly by allotting your BAH to the developer.
   For information about the privatization of Tinker's military family housing, go to the Tinker Web site at http://www.tinker.af.mil/ housingprivatization/.