New Incentives and Programs Offered in Family Housing

  • Published
  • By George Woodward
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With occupancy rates falling below 95 percent, Sheppard's privatized housing partner, Balfour Beatty Communities, will accept housing applications from non-military residents.

Privatized housing contracts include a provision allowing management to consider non-military tenants on a tiered basis when occupancy falls below a certain threshold. Based on current occupancy rates, BBC, will consider tenants from Tiers 4-8, which include current and retired federal service employees, retired military, guard and reserve members and Department of Defense contractors.

First priority, though, is to raise occupancy rates by encouraging military families to move in to base housing through incentives. They also have a referral program, offering a $50 referral bonus to those who refer new tenants.

"We are also personally contacting all of our inbound personnel to provide them information about on base housing," said 82nd Mission Support Group Commander Col. Kimberley Ramos. "The homes are recently renovated and offer a convenient commuting choice for military families."

Colonel Ramos also said that while opening housing to non-military residents may be a new idea for some, it shouldn't require a huge adjustment.

"The people in Tiers 4-8 are part of our military family--we work with them every day, we know them," she said. "Just as important, they know us. They understand military life and what it means to be a part of the military community. A lot of them are veterans who lived in base housing at some point in their lives."

For information about incentive programs for military families or consideration as a non-military resident, contact Balfour Beatty Communities at (940) 613-0709 or visit their website at www.sheppardfamilyhousing.com.