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MHAFB Privatized Housing Resident Advocate

Courtney Lewis, Mountain Home Air Force Base privatized housing resident advocate, poses for a photo, Aug. 24, 2020, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The RA position was created by the USAF as part of a response to improve privatized housing with the clear mandate to rebuild trust in the privatized housing program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Rubenak)

Courtney Lewis, Mountain Home Air Force Base privatized housing resident advocate, poses for a photo, Aug. 24, 2020, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The RA position was created by the USAF as part of a response to improve privatized housing with the clear mandate to rebuild trust in the privatized housing program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Rubenak)

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The Resident Advocate position was created by the USAF as part of a sweeping response to improve privatized housing with the clear mandate to rebuild trust in the privatized housing program. That is exciting to me because that puts me squarely in the people business and making sure that Airmen and their families are afforded access to safe, healthy and secure housing. It’s imperative that we support Airman and their families so that they are able to execute their day to day missions to the best of their abilities without unnecessary stressors at home.

I work directly for wing leadership but work closely with Balfour Beatty and the Military Housing Office. The goal is to be a neutral party that advocates for Airman but is able to see all sides of a situation when it reaches them. There is still a resolution process that has to be adhered to prior to bringing an issue to the RA. Airmen must first make Balfour Beatty aware of any issues they have and give them the opportunity to correct them. If Balfour Beatty is unable meet their needs, then residents should bring the issue to the Military Housing Office. The MHO is in the advocacy business as well and can usually resolve issues quickly.

One of my main duties is to establish a Resident Council. The Resident Council is a program owned by the Installation Commander and is a direct connection for privatized housing residents to wing leadership. We will have seven neighborhood representative positions on the Council, one from each neighborhood on base, and we are looking for a good mix of officer, enlisted and spouses to fill the seats. This is a high visibility program Air Force wide and council members will meet with wing leadership monthly. It’s a great opportunity to play an integral role building the program from the ground up.
-Courtney Lewis, MHAFB Privatized Housing Resident Advocate

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