Officials turnover base housing Feb. 6 Published Feb. 1, 2007 By John Ingle 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The light at the end of the tunnel isn't always a train. In this instance, the light Sheppard leadership and housing residents see is the official turnover of base housing units to GMH Military Housing, the company selected to lead the base into the housing privatization sector. Walt Buster, the 82nd Training Wing's overseer for housing privatization here, said the handover of keys will take place Feb. 6. He said housing residents have tidied up yards and homes in preparation for the change. "(The general) wants us to hand over a project that is in top shape," Mr. Buster said. The move toward privatized housing has been mulled over for several years, but the initiative took flight in July with a town hall meeting. Representatives from GMH and the 82nd Civil Engineer Squadron explained the process to housing residents and also answered questions. The original turnover was to take place in December, but hang-ups at the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C., forced both sides to push the date back. Housing residents began signing lease agreements with GMH Dec. 5 at the community center as an official start date drew near. There are currently 1,167 homes on Sheppard. Of those, 500 will be renovated while 636 will be demolished. GMH will build 379 new homes for a grand total of 910 homes once all phases are complete. The renovation and construction of homes should take about seven years. Base housing residents who have questions or concerns about the privatization process can call (940) 264-4404, visit the GMH Web site by clicking on the "Housing Privatization" link on Sheppard's public Web site or stop by the GMH office located at 1B Nehls Blvd. in Wherry Housing. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Office hours are extended until 7 p.m. every Wednesday.