Robins, Dyess celebrate 10 years of housing privatization

  • Published
  • By Rachel Fish
  • AFCEE Housing Privatization Division
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  
U.S. Air Force photo
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A privatized home at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The neighborhood celebrated 10-years of housing privatization in September.
September marked the 10-year anniversary for two of the first Air Force housing projects to become privatized: Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

The projects are part of a wider Air Force housing privatization effort, with 26 projects achieving privatization since 1996 and another seven projects pending.

"The privatization of military housing has proven to be a benefit to our military members, resulting from a strong partnership between the Air Force and housing management staff at each base," said Robin Vaughn, executive vice president of Hunt Companies, owner of the projects at Robins and Dyess.

The privatized homes have had high resident satisfaction ratings and increased occupancy levels according to Joe Killebrew, who has served as the housing program manager for Huntington Village at Robins for six years. He attributes the success to focused customer service and efforts made by the property management and maintenance staff to meet residents' needs.

"Customer service starts with the initial encounter, whether it be by e-mail, by phone or in person," Mr. Killebrew said. "The staff is trained to be able to handle any and all questions while making the military member and family feel at home."

Karen Largent, capital asset manager for Quail Hollow at Dyess, agrees.

"Our team truly cares about the welfare of our military families," Ms. Largent said. "Hunt offers customer appreciation events, holiday parties and extra services to spouses of deployed Airmen. We work with Hunt as one team toward one goal: quality housing."

Sandy Nichols, community director at Dyess, has been involved with the privatization program since its early stages and has seen how the project has evolved.

U.S. Air Force photo
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A community basketball court and swimming pool in the Quail Hollow housing area at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The neighborhood celebrated 10-years of housing privatization in September.
"When I came to Quail Hollow (in November 2001), the project was still under construction," Ms. Nichols said. "In my time here, I've seen houses turn into homes and this neighborhood turn into a community."

Long-time residents, such as Master Sgt. Daniel Downey and his family, are very pleased with the amenities in the housing community, such as community centers, pools, fitness centers, basketball courts and playgrounds.

"Living in Quail Hollow is better than what I expected prior to coming to Dyess," Sergeant Downey said. "It's nice to be able to come home from work and enjoy the great facilities."

Quail Hollow won the National Multifamily Customer Service Award for Excellence, also referred to as the "A-List" award, for two years in a row in recognition of outstanding customer service and quality facilities.

Above all, officials involved with the projects at Robins and Dyess are focused on not losing sight of the end result of housing privatization: providing quality homes for Airmen and their families.

"During the past 10 years, as Robins and Dyess have matured and Hunt has opened other properties, our people feel they have become part of the military community family," Mr. Vaughn said. "We look forward to continuing opportunities to advance and improve our privatization partnership to serve the men, women and families of the Air Force."