Be prepared for Housing Privatization Published Oct. 25, 2007 By Brion Ockenfels Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The base housing privatization project, which includes Tinker, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and Travis AFB, Calif., is moving toward meeting another milestone. Responses to July's Request for Proposals are now being evaluated to identify possible developers for Tinker's military family housing. To revitalize Military Family Housing at the three bases, the Air Force is progressing toward making a final selection of the highest ranked developer. "The selected developer will provide the most advantageous business case to address quality development, long-term sustainability, competitive financing, and construction timeline for the Air Force project," said Carol Hill, the base housing privatization program manager. It is the responsibility for the privatization project team to review and recommend a developer for final selection by the Air Force. This is followed by notification to Congress, which in turn is followed by a review and approval period before Tinker can begin its transition to privatized housing. Anticipating the announcement, Ms. Hill said she wants military members and their families to be well informed about their options prior to the final selection of a developer. "The bottom line, we want current and future MFH residents at Tinker to make informed decisions about why they would choose to live on base once housing is privatized," said Ms. Hill, "and we suspect it will be many of those same reasons they choose to live on base today." The advantages of privatized MFH housing privatization may vary slightly, but the main reasons are going to be affordability, security, proximity to work and schools, not to mention you will live in a military community with the same support our Airmen have always enjoyed. Specifics about the Tinker's privatization plan will be discovered once the Air Force makes the final selection. "During the upcoming weeks, we will have a series of articles in the Tinker Take Off to help answer questions many military members have as they prepare for housing privatization at Tinker," said Ms Hill. MFH members are encouraged to send questions to 72abw.ce.privatized.mfh@tinker.af.mil to address concerns not covered in the future articles or at our informative Web site. "Although we are still in the early stages, we want our MFH residents to know we are moving towards privatization," said Ms. Hill. More information can be found at https://wwwmil.tinker.af.mil/72abw/ce/ Housing%20Privatization/HousPrivat.asp. Do I have to live in privatized housing? The only time privatized housing is mandatory is if the military member is considered "key and essential," which requires the member to live on base. Otherwise, military members may choose to live in privatized housing or not. The military member makes choices among all private sector housing options, which includes privatized housing. What if I don't like the options provided to me when I am offered privatized housing? If military members do not like what is being provided they may choose to live off base in other available private sector housing (except for "key and essential" personnel). What are my options for off-base housing? The Housing Management Office at the installation will assist military members by providing referral services regarding local real estate rental property listings and contacts. Keep in mind that privatized housing is a private sector housing option, like other "off-base" options. Other than home ownership, a Tenant Lease Agreement must be signed for all private sector housing choices. Is privatized housing cheaper than houses in the local community? It depends on the cost of other housing options available in the local community that the member may select.