Backtalk: Going with privatized housing is faster, cheaper, better

[unhappycamper]

Going with privatized housing is faster, cheaper, better
By Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg

Taking care of our people has always been an Air Force priority. Airmen are our most valuable asset, and they are most productive and focused on the fight when their families are taken care of — which is why quality housing is important.

In the mid-1990s, over half of our 104,000 homes were inadequate. Our budgets were not keeping our airmen in homes they deserved. Congress then authorized changing the paradigm with housing privatization.

Privatization delivers housing faster than traditional military construction, at a lower cost, and at a higher standard. The average “development period” for privatization to build/renovate our homes is five years; sometimes faster. In June 2004, Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., did not have any family housing. By October of this year, 351 homes were completed with 99 percent occupancy.

Privatized housing is also typically larger, with more bedrooms and garages. The new developments also include amenities such as play areas, pools, community centers and jogging paths.

These partnerships attract the best financial firms, developers and property management firms in the country. Developers can also be partners in developing a true “sense of community.” Examples: At Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, they support a local elementary school ice skating rink; and at Schriever AFB, Colo., the developer is renovating and adding classrooms at the local school.

So far, we’ve invested $357 million at 37 bases and are receiving $5.5 billion in quality housing. For every taxpayer dollar, we’re getting $15 of private money invested in Air Force homes. In business, you’d call this leverage; in the Air Force, it is a force multiplier.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_housing_071203/



uhc comment: He forgot to mention Little Rock -->

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