Ellsworth addresses housing concerns

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen living in Centennial Estates housing on base were invited to attend a meeting on Jan. 10 to discuss the upcoming changes to their living situation.

The focus of the meeting was to reassure Airmen that the base housing office would help with the transition into the new lease with the Hunt Corporation.

"We're not going to let Airmen just swing in the wind when this change happens," said Harold Jensen, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of housing assistance. "We're going to assist them in every way we can."

Mr. Jensen said, with the decrease in 2011 Basic Allowance for Housing, Airmen who previously may have been able to afford the rent rates set by the Hunt Corporation may now have to pay an additional, out-of-pocket, expense. However, he said the housing office is prepared to assist Airmen who wish to move to a smaller unit in Centennial Estates, or to a residence off base.

"After Feb. 1 the Air Force will pay the moving costs for any Airman who wants to move out of the Centennial house they are currently in," said Mr. Jensen. "If they want to move to a smaller house, or get a place off base, we're here to help them through the process."

Mr. Jensen said some Airmen have come to the housing office with questions about using the increase in Basic Allowance for Subsistence rates as a means to offset the cost of housing.

"BAS is a specific allowance which is meant to pay for the food Airmen eat," he said. "The increase from the 2010 rate to 2011 is so small that it would not have an impact on the adjusted rent."

Another option some Airmen were hoping to take advantage of is the "individual rate protection," a program adopted by Congress to protect service members from changes in BAH, which could result in them losing money. Unfortunately for Airmen living in Centennial who do not draw BAH, the rate protection program is only effective for service members who collected BAH prior to Jan. 1, 2011.

"When the Hunt Corporation receives ownership of Centennial Housing on Aug. 1, the Airmen living there will begin drawing BAH," said Mr. Jensen. "However, they will collect it at the 2011 rate, not the previously higher rate of 2010."

During the meeting, Col. Trent Edwards, 28th Mission Support Group commander, stressed the importance of reading and understanding the Hunt Corporation lease and how Airmen may be affected. The base is working with Hunt to get a copy of the lease in advance and have it reviewed by the Ellsworth Legal Office to ensure Airmen are properly protected.

"Once the lease with Hunt is signed, Airmen are locked into the rent rate for the duration of the lease," he said. "After the lease has expired, Hunt has the option to raise, lower or maintain the rent - depending on the condition of the local economy." Airmen in this situation could then decide whether to re-sign a lease with Hunt or sign a lease with another housing rental company.

Colonel Edwards also said Airmen would have the option to rent the property from Hunt with, or without, utilities included. Hunt has also agreed to waive the security and pet deposits, which are normally associated with lease agreements. This will give Airmen a total of four options when deciding on their living arrangements.

· Stay in current home
· Apply for housing in Prairie View or Rushmore Heights, if they are eligible
· Accept a paid government move to another unit in Centennial Estates
· Accept a paid government move to an off-base residence of the Airman's choice

"We want our Airmen to have all the information we can provide," said Colonel Edwards. "At the end of the day it's about answering their questions, so they can make the best decision for themselves and their families."

CENTENNIAL ESTATES RENT TABLE
Unit Type                                                        Description Rent w/o Utilities       Rent w/ Utilities
2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Fourplex                   $770                                                  $915
3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Fourplex                   $875                                                  $1,020
3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Duplex                      $895                                                  $1,040
3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Single-Family          $895                                                  $1,040
4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Duplex                      $1,095                                               $1,240
4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Single-Family          $1,095                                               $1,240

Note: Rental rates are determined by the Hunt Corporation based on the type of housing unit and if utilities are included or excluded in the rental cost

2011 ENLISTED BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING - Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. area
Pay Grade                     With Dependents                   Without Dependents
E-1                                  $909.00                                    $741.00
E-2                                  $909.00                                    $741.00
E-3                                  $909.00                                    $741.00
E-4                                  $909.00                                    $741.00
E-5                                  $1008.00                                  $789.00
E-6                                  $1311.00                                  $984.00
E-7                                  $1323.00                                  $990.00
E-8                                  $1332.00                                  $1068.00
E-9                                  $1371.00                                  $1164.00

2011 OFFICER BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING - Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. area
Pay Grade                     With Dependents                   Without Dependents
O-1                                  $1041.00                                 $813.00
O-2                                  $1305.00                                 $993.00
O-3                                  $1341.00                                 $1203.00
O-4                                  $1458.00                                 $1323.00
O-5                                  $1545.00                                 $1329.00
O-6                                  $1560.00                                 $1338.00
O-7 +                               $1578.00                                 $1365.00

Note: BAH rates are determined by the Department of Defense