GMH Military Housing named as new developer

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AFB, Fla. --   Upon completion of the Congressional notification period, GMH Military Housing was officially named as Tyndall's housing privatization developer Oct. 12. 

"Today, more than 38 percent of Air Force family housing does not meet modern standards and requires either major improvement or replacement." said Lt. Col. Sue Grumbach, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "The Military Housing Privatization Initiative, which is incorporated into the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act, allows the Air Force to use privately financed and built housing, constructed to market standards. To accomplish this mandate, the Air Force has launched an aggressive program to revitalize all military housing units through a combination of traditional military construction and privatization." 

GMH Military Housing is an industry-specific affiliate of GMH Communities Trust with experience in the military housing privatization industry, adding a broad range of real estate development, community management and maintenance experience to the base.
"Our goal is to provide quality, affordable housing for service members and their families living here," said Teri Henry, GMH Housing community manager. 

Individual concerns about Tyndall's housing privatization will be addressed at the town hall meeting 6 p.m. Monday at the Youth Center. GMH Military Housing anticipates questions from family members on questions on pets, fences, sheds and boats. 

"Anyone who misses the town hall meeting can go to the GMH Web site, www.tyndallfamilyhousing.com," said Yvonne Brabham, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron housing flight chief. "The Web site will have the town hall brief, lease and resident guide." 

Below are some of the "Frequently Asked Questions" the Air Force compiled to help base housing residents understand privatization. These questions and many more will be addressed at the town hall meeting. 

1. Do I have to live in privatized housing? 

Privatized housing is only mandatory for military members considered "key or mission essential," who are required to live on base. All others choose to live in privatized housing (on base or off). 

2. How will the unit I'm offered be determined? 

Typically, privatization projects are developed for specific ranks (such as junior NCO, senior NCO, company grade officer, field grade officer, senior officer and general officer) and family size. The project owner offers units to members based on the rank/grade of the military member authorized to reside in the unit type designation. 

3. If I go on temporary duty or deploy for an extended period of time, can my privatized housing remain vacant? 

The military member may continue to rent a privatized housing unit even if the housing unit is vacant during the deployment period. However, the member must make arrangements, at his/her own expense, for the house and property to be maintained in accordance with the tenant lease agreement while the member is deployed. 

Early termination may be permitted under the "military clause" of the tenant lease if the member is deployed, so reading and understanding the lease is essential. Base legal is also available for consultation. 

4. How are rental rates determined? 

All privatized housing units are designated for occupancy by pay grade. The resident's rent will not exceed the basic allowance for housing at the dependent rate for the designated military pay grade, minus an amount sufficient to cover 110 percent of average estimated utility charges. 

For join-spouse residents, unit type and rent is set at the with-dependent rate of the senior ranking military member. Both members will draw basic housing allowance at the appropriate rate (with or without dependents, as appropriate). The members retain any BAH in excess of the rent and utilities. 

5. What does my rent include? 

Rent includes refuse collection, water and sewer, common area grounds and facility care. 

Electric, gas or other heating costs may be paid from the member's utility allowance.
Renter's insurance may be paid by the developer (but the member will be responsible for the payment of any deductible). Rent does not pay for telephone and cable service. 

6. Who is responsible for start/stop allotments for rent? 

The military member is responsible for starting, stopping or making changes to the rent allotment. The developer will assist members with completing the initial paperwork to start the allotment.