JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) — Residents of privatized housing on Air Force bases now have a 24/7 toll-free helpline to better assist with any housing concerns that they have not been able to resolve with their local privatized or government housing office, or housing chain of command.
Representatives are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, toll-free at 1-800-482-6431.
The helpline connects residents to the appropriate channels for assistance and consultation, said Col. Michael Beach, Air Force Housing Privatization division chief.
“Our military members and their families are the Air Force’s most important resource and their access to safe, affordable housing remains a top priority,” Beach said.
The 24/7 helpline is in response to recent concerns raised regarding military privatized housing programs. The Air Force is taking proactive measures to correct housing issues while creating an improved and standardized system that ensures the health and safety of Airmen and their families, Beach said.
Once connected to a call-line agent, the representative will document the concern and route it through the Air Force Civil Engineer Center Installations Directorate, which manages and executes the Air Force’s Housing Program. AFCEC will monitor calls to detect possible trends, allowing the Air Force and project owners to collaborate to prevent and resolve issues at installations.
Although the toll-free helpline is an option to resolve issues, residents and their family members are encouraged to reach out to their project owner or government housing office and wing leadership first to try to resolve the issue. Residents may also use the helpline if they feel uncomfortable approaching their leadership about their situation.
“Our focus with this tool is to provide residents with a way to raise their concerns so they are assured that they are being addressed and resolved in a timely manner,” Beach said.
The Air Force is working closely with concerned residents, project owners and base leadership to review current housing conditions, address health and safety hazards and implement procedures to ensure privatized housing matters are appropriately addressed.
The helpline is just one of the actions the Air Force is taking to demonstrate its commitment to empower residents and reestablish trust within the housing program.
