Construction / Renovation Questions
Q: If my neighborhood is part of the construction and I have to move, will I be responsible for any expenses?
A: No, there will be no expense to the service member.
Q: How much notice will be given prior to move?
A: All efforts will be made to provide at minimum of 30 days notice. However, there maybe circumstances when the notice to move may be less.
Q: What is the process for the waiting list?
A: Residents must apply for housing within 30 days of arrival. If housing is not available, an active waiting list by grade and number of bedrooms will be established. Waiting list will be posted at the Community Management Office as well as on the website. The list will be updated weekly.
Q: What are the plans for new construction and renovations of current housing?
A: New homes and renovations are currently underway.
Miscellaneous Questions
Q: Are RVs and boats permitted in Privatized Housing?
A: Parking for boats, trailers and recreational vehicles is prohibited in the neighborhoods. Storage facilities are available for for such vehicles at the Outdoor Recreational Center, Holbrook Pond, Fort Stewart or at the Private Vehicle Storage area at Hunter AAF.
Unregistered, inoperable, unlicensed or abandoned vehicles may not be parked within the neighborhoods. Violators will be ticketed by the Military Police Department and will be subject to having vehicles towed away at the owner's expense. At no time will vehicles be permitted to be left on jacks.
Q: May I have a fence installed and what are the requirements?
A: Yes, by completing a Request of Alterations form (obtained at the Community Management Office). Once permission has been obtained from Balfour Beatty Communities, DPW and Cannoochee Electric your fence may be installed.
Q: How will we learn more about the RCI (new Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Housing) project?
A: We will communicate our important and immediate updates through fliers, newsletters and our website.
Q: How many military homes will be on base as a result of Privatized Housing?
A: There will be a total of 3,027 homes at Fort Stewart and 675 and Hunter Army Airfield.
Q: Are provisions being made for exceptional family members in Privatized Housing?
A: There are an allotted number of adaptable and accessible homes provided. The Community Manager will ensure that each family's requirements are discussed and a plan is developed for meeting these requirements.
Q: Is there a self help program?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities has on-site professional maintenance personnel to provide responsive care for every home. We ask residents to leave home repairs to these professionals by calling in a service request. We will stock a/c filters, light bulbs and grass seed.
Payment Questions
Q: Will I have to pay income tax on my BAH allotment since it will now be on my LES statement?
A: No, allotments are not taxable income.
Q: How do I pay my rent?
A:
For Service Members in the Army, Navy and Air Force:
Rent is paid by Allotment. Your BAH will be wired to the Military Assistance Corporation (MAC) who is a contractor that collects allotments and remits these payments to vendors. MAC will wire the funds to Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Housing, LLC (Balfour Beatty Communities). You will see your BAH on your LES as an entitlement and as a payment to Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Housing, LLC. The advantages of payment by Allotment are that you will not be required to pay a Security Deposit and your rent will be due in arrears.
For Service Members in the Marines:
The same applies as the answer above, however, you are responsible for filling out an Allotment Form (DD Form 2558) and forwarding your copy of the DD Form 2558 to your finance administrator.
For Service Members in the Coast Guard:
The same applies as the answer above, however, you are responsible for filling out an Allotment Worksheet (CG PSC-2040). Balfour Beatty Communities maintains a copy of the PSC-2040 and you take the original signed PSC-2040 to your PERSRU Office for initiation of the rent allotment.
Q: How will utilities by paid?
A: All utilities are included in the BAH allotment with the exception of cable service, Internet access and telephone service. All residents will be responsible for their own utilities once all homes have been metered for 12 months and a reasonable consumption rate has been established.
Q: How much is my utility deposit?
A: There will not be a deposit for water, electricity or gas. The resident will be responsible for any deposits due for cable service, telephone and internet access.
Q: Am I responsible for paying rent at time of move-in?
A: Yes, you are responsible for the number of days that you occupy the home. Your BAH Allotment will not be effective until the following month. Please note that all BAH Allotments for rent runs a month in arrears.
Q: Can I pay with a personal check?
A: No, we currently only accept money orders, certified checks, debit or credit card. Currently we only accept Visa and MasterCard if paying with a credit card.
Q: How will your housing and rent be determined?
A: Housing assignments will be determined by the amount of dependents and rank of service. The rent allotment will equal the soldiers BAH entitlement for their rank.
Q: Will rent be prorated if the service personnel is transferred during a tour of duty?
A: The month will be divided into 30 equal periods, despite the number of days in any given month. The rent will be assessed for the days the resident is living in housing.
Q: Will my BAH allotment be shown on my LES?
A: Yes, you will see a credit for the amount of your BAH and a debit as a payment to Balfour Beatty Communities.
Q: Who is responsible for answering our payment questions?
A: You may direct your questions to the Community Manager at your installation.
Utilities Questions
Q: How does this program work?
A: The Balfour Beatty Communities/Fort Stewart-Hunter AAF privatized housing partnership will establish a utility allocation based on an average consumption determined for each type of unit in each neighborhood. They will then conduct “mock billing” for a one-year period during which time they will provide each resident information regarding their consumption and costs as compared to the average. During the “mock billing” residents will not be responsible for paying any overages or receive reimbursements for savings. Following the “mock billing” period residents that conserve may elect to receive a payment or credit; those that do not conserve will be required to pay for their consumption in excess of their allocation. It is important to understand that BAH contains a utility allocation which is why residents will only be responsible to pay the overage.
Q: How long has the Army policy of making residents of privatized housing responsible for utility bills been in formulation?
A: The Army policy was developed over three years ago, following the development of the DoD policy; however privatized homes had to be built or completely renovated and metered before the program could be implemented.
Q: When will homes be metered?
A: Homes are metered as they are built or completely renovated.
Q: When does Mock Billing begin?
A: Mock Billing begins March 1, 2007; however, the actual Mock Bills will arrive to your address in April 2007. At the present time, only new homes will be Mock Billed.
Q: Who established the Utility Policy?
A: Congress passed legislation in 1996, which allowed the services to privatize family housing and use allotted BAH to pay for the funding of housing projects. In September 1998 the Office of the Secretary of Defense published guidance requiring service members in privatized housing to be responsible for the utilities they consume. It also established procedures that allow service members who conserve to be financially rewarded and those who did not conserve to be billed for their consumption
Pet Questions
Q: Are pets allowed in Privatized Housing?
A: Yes, however all pets must be registered with the Veterinary Office as well as the Community Management Office. You may have "2" pets. You will be responsible for any pet damages.
Assignment Questions
Q: How will the waiting list be managed?
A: The Community Management office will maintain the waiting list based on eligibility date, rank and bedroom size.
Q: What happens if my family size increases?
A: You will need to come into the Community Management office to be placed on the correct waiting list for the size home that meets your families' needs.
Q: How do I apply for a home on post?
A: You can either apply online via our website or by coming into the Community Management office once you have signed into the installation.
Q: How does the Assignment process work?
A: You will go to the Community Management office to complete your application. The Community Management office will determine your entitlements and eligibility date and place you on the correct waiting list and/or assign you a home.
Maintenance Questions
Q: Who provides maintenance for Hunter Army Airfield?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities provides maintenance services.
Q: How do we make a maintenance request?
A: Residents can either call the work order desk or via our website.
Q: Whom do we contact with concerns of maintenance issues?
A: Residents may contact the Hunter Army Airfield Community Manager.
Leasing Questions
Q: Do I have to sign a lease?
A: Yes, all residents will be required to sign a lease, which is known as a Resident Responsibility Agreement (RRA), The RRA is the equivalent of a lease, except that is has been written specifically for military families. The agreement is for a 12-month basis. It is understood that residents are often required to move on short notice. For this reason, the lease (RRA) will provide provisions for being able to terminate for PCS orders or TDY in excess of ninety days.
Download the "Lease-Resident Responsibility Agreement"
View Addendums
Q: If I elect to move off post, will transportation handle my move?
A: If the soldier is not being required to move, then the move will be at his/her convenience/personal choice. Move at Government expense is not authorized.
Q: What are the rules and regulations going to be within the community?
A: GMH Military Housing will provide you with a Resident Guide explaining all of the rules of the community.
Download the "Resident Guide"
Q: What is the length of the lease?
A: The lease is for one year and then continues month- to- month.
Q: What is my lease responsibility?
A: The service member responsible for signing the RRA is also authorizing their BAH allotment to be electronically transferred to the management company.
Q: What should I do if the Military Sponsor is deployed or is TDY?
A: Only a military sponsor has the authority to sign the lease. If you would like to sign the lease on behalf of your sponsor, you will need a "Special Power-of-Attorney" from your sponsor. Your sponsor may obtain one from any servicing Staff Judge Advocate's (SJA) office where he/she is currently serving. If your sponsor elects not to provide you with a Special Power-of-Attorney, you will need to provide us with a correct mailing address for that person so we can forward a lease to him/her at the location.