JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- In 2019, Congress approved additional funding to assist military families living in base housing who were experiencing health hazards such as infestations, mold, or asbestos exposure.
Due to numerous health concern reports, the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act was passed, establishing additional requirements for the resident advocate position across the Department of Defense for Air Force Privatized housing.
According to AFI 32-6000, Housing Management, the installation privatized housing Resident Advocate (RA) takes a proactive approach to ensure military members and family concerns with privatized housing are addressed and elevated to the appropriate levels within the chain of command.
Since JBLM is an Army-led privatized project, the Army Housing Office (AHO) is the government oversight and lead housing advocate for all service members residing in Liberty Military Housing. The Air Force advocate has limited authority but works in partnership with the AHO to resolve Airmen issues.
The new position follows the signing of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights signed in 2021, which serves to ensure on-base residents receive quality housing and fair treatment from partners that operate and maintain privatized housing.
The RA is the key advisor to the installation commander and wing leadership on housing issues related to health and safety in privatized housing. The RA is responsible for critical advocacy services on behalf of military members and their families living in privatized housing.
The Privatized Housing Resident Advocate acts as a liaison between housing residents, LMH, the AHO and the installation commander for issues regarding resident rights and advocacy.
Eunice Gibbs, 62d Airlift Wing privatized housing resident advocate, is the Air Force resident advocate whose job is to assist service members and their families in finding solutions to their housing concerns.
“I work with leadership and staff who sincerely have the well-being of our Airmen on their minds and that is essential for me to accomplish what I need to do as an advocate,” said Gibbs. “This position involves skillsets I have built upon in various roles along with my desire to problem solve and make positive differences for our service members and their families. It offers numerous opportunities to build partnerships and relationships while serving those who serve.”
Gibbs provides assistance and information regarding exceptions to policy, works to promote a better line of communication with privatized housing leadership, and encourages transparency to build more trust within the base housing community. Gibbs assists residents who are unable to resolve their housing problems, concerns or needs through the project owner LMH.
Team McChord Community Mayors improve quality of life for service members while living in family housing. Mayors are the voice for residents, communicating directly with the installation Commander and Command Sergeant Major.
The proper chain starts with LMH, following the 3-step process;
1) Contact your District Manager
2) Contact Regional Manager
3) Contact Regional Vice President.
If no resolution from LMH is reached, and problem can’t be resolved, then it moves up to the AHO for resolution. AHO will provide options for tenant to submit an informal dispute resolution if it meets the criteria as outlined in the universal lease if the problem can’t be resolved.