At Ellsworth AFB, military family housing is privatized. Balfour Beatty Communities owns the family housing and is responsible for maintaining, repairing, constructing and managing the community. In addition to your option to purchase and rent housing in the local community, you now may choose to live in privatized housing by signing a tenant lease agreement with Balfour Beatty Communities.
For comprehensive information about the privatized housing community at Ellsworth AFB, visit www.ellsworthafbhomes.com. The website provides information you need to know about the homes and amenities available in the privatized housing community.
Applying for Privatized Housing
Contact the Housing Management Office as soon as you know you are moving to Ellsworth AFB. The government housing team will provide you the latest information about privatized housing and details about the application process. The HMO will also update you on any base specific policies regarding residing in privatized housing.
Community Amenities
Privatized housing is comparable to housing in the local community and provides a wide variety of amenities and support services, including basketball courts, playgrounds and a community center with a projected completion during summer 2015.
As a resident of Balfour Beatty Communities privatized housing, you may contact the Property Management Office at (605) 923-9000 for more specific information on the services available in your community.
Paying Rent for Privatized Housing
Similar to living in the local community, you will sign a lease agreement, typically for a one-year term. Your lease will include a military clause and a lease termination clause. You pay your monthly rent by authorizing an allotment of your basic allowance for housing to be paid directly to the Property Manager. If you move in before the allotment start date, you must pay the prorated rent directly to the Property Manager. The Tenant Lease Agreement details all relevant rent payment terms and conditions.
Gas and Electric Utilities
Currently, homes in privatized housing are not being metered. Your rent will include utility costs. For more information about your utilities, contact the Property Management Office.
Personal Property Insurance
You need to obtain legal liability and personal property insurance for your possessions and should choose the options and amounts that best fit your needs and lifestyle. Before purchasing your insurance, please consult the Property Management Office for more information about coverage.
School Information
For families, we understand that where your children attend school plays a large factor in the decision of where to live.
For your convenience, all community housing listings in the Automated Housing Referral Network site, www.homes.mil, include a link to schools in the area surrounding the listed house.
For more information about schools near Ellsworth AFB, please see the links below:
Douglas School District (available to families living on base)
Rapid City School District
Pets in Privatized Family Housing - Ellsworth AFB
1. Residents are authorized to board (at most) any ONE of the following combinations of dogs/cats:
(a) Two dogs, 0 cats.
(b) Two cats, 0 dogs.
(c) One dog, one cat.
2. Residents may not board dogs of any breed (including a mixed breed) that are deemed "aggressive or potentially aggressive," unless the dog is a certified military working dog that is being boarded by its handler/trainer or approval is obtained by the Installation Commander in writing. For purposes of this policy, aggressive or potentially aggressive breeds of dogs are defined as a Pit Bull (American Staffordshire Bull Terrier or English Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Chow and wolf hybrids. Prohibition also extends to other breeds of dogs or individual dogs that demonstrate or are known to demonstrate a propensity for dominant or aggressive behavior as indicated by any of the following type of behaviors:
(a) Unprovoked barking, growling or snarling at people approaching the animal.
(b) Aggressively running along a fence line when people are present.
(c) Biting or scratching people.
(d) Escaping confinement or restriction to chase people.
3. The military member will be held responsible for all issues associated with the boarding of an animal at the assigned residence. This includes, but is not limited to, financial liability for all costs incurred by any base agency for the capture, quarantine, and rendering of emergency or involuntary veterinary services due to the animal being outside the fenced backyard (while not under the immediate control of a responsible person) or involvement in any act of violence.
4. In addition to cats/dogs, residents may board birds, aquarium fish, and small domesticated rodents (i.e., hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs) provided animals are properly caged when not being handled. Cages must be cleaned regularly and provide a healthy environment for the pets.
5. Residents may not board exotic animals such as, but not limited to, reptiles, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs), ferrets, hedgehogs, skunks, rats, raccoons, squirrels, pot bellied pigs, monkeys, arachnids, or any farm animal. Non-compliance may result in loss of housing privileges.
6. Upon initial assignment to housing, members occupying Key and Essential positions (as identified in Ellsworth Sup AFI 32-6001) may apply for a waiver to the above restrictions. There is no waiver process for members not occupying these positions.
7. All dogs/cats must be registered at the Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) within 5 days of arrival or acquisition of the animal. Failure to register a pet may result in loss of housing privileges. This is a one-time requirement while the pet is on base. Fish, rodents, and birds are exempt from registration. The resident must accomplish the following actions to complete registration:
(a) Provide proof of current rabies and distemper vaccines
(b) Provide proof that pet has a permanent microchip electronic identification implant
If the resident cannot provide adequate veterinarian records documenting vaccination and microchip information to the VTF, the pet will be required to receive any treatment necessary to complete the registration process.
8. Pet owners must maintain current immunizations on all pets. Dogs and cats are required to wear a collar or harness with current rabies tag attached.
9. Pet areas must be cleaned regularly to control and prevent vermin infestation. Pet feces must be picked up daily or immediately if the pet evacuates outside the patio or yard.
10. Operating a commercial kennel is strictly prohibited. If an inadvertent pregnancy occurs, residents must notify the privatized leasing office immediately. If a litter is birthed, the resident will have 10 weeks from time of birth to give away or sell the offspring for the sole purpose of recouping any provable expended medical cost of the animal since birth (note: the VTF is not authorized to provide any labor and/or delivery support (c-section, etc.) or post-partum care). Any attempt by the resident to sell the offspring for profit will be considered a lease violation, as any enterprise to generate profit in housing must be approved by the privatized leasing office.
11. Pets must be secured with leashes or under positive control at all times while outside a fenced yard. Dogs and cats may only roam unsupervised within a fenced yard provided the animal can neither escape nor attack humans or neighboring pets on the other side of the fence. Unattended pets may not be left on a chain or leash outside of a fenced area.
12. When taking your pets for a walk, be sure to carry a bag/scooper with you. If your pet defecates, pick it up and take it with you to dispose of properly. Do not leave it in someone's yard, on the sidewalk, or in the common areas.
13. Not complying with the pet owner responsibilities listed above will result in warnings and citations from the Housing Office or privatized leasing office. Multiple violations of this nature will lead to removal from housing.
14. Complaints concerning loose/nuisance/stray animals should be reported to the privatized leasing office (923-9000) during business hours, and their after-hours answering service (923-5808) on evenings/weekends/holidays. The privatized leasing company has a contract for the purpose of picking up and boarding loose or stray pets. Pet owners whose loose pets are picked up may be required to pay a fee to the servicing animal control shelter in order to claim their animal.
15. Animal Bites: Bites and scratches caused by ANY animal (domestic or wildlife) must be cleaned with soap and water and reported to Security Forces at 385-4001 IMMEDIATELY. Humans should seek medical attention as soon as possible at the Rapid City Regional Hospital ER. Domestic animals involved in any animal bite (biting or being bitten) must be quarantined IAW South Dakota state law and the National Rabies Compendium, under the direction of the base veterinarian, and the pet owner will assume financial responsibility. Non-compliance will result in loss of housing privileges.
16. Suspicion of animal abuse, neglect, cruelty or abandonment should be reported to Security Forces at 385-4001. An investigation may be conducted by VTF personnel; any substantiated animal abuse, neglect, cruelty or abandonment will be reported to the active duty member's squadron for appropriate penalty/punishment. Any fees associated with the animal's treatment and/or transportation will be the responsibility of the owner.
17. Trapped or injured wildlife should be reported to the privatized leasing office (923-9000) during business hours, and their after-hours answering service (923-5808) on evenings/weekends/holidays. Do not attempt to help the animal yourself.
18. Any costs to repair damages made to the yard, interior/exterior of the dwelling, or other property caused by a pet will be assessed against the member in accordance with the lease documents signed by the member.