Deployment Questions

Q: If I clear quarters before deployment, do I have priority on the wait list when I return?
A: No. The date you reapplied for housing would be your new eligibility date.

Q: If I currently live in housing on post, do I need any additional information regarding my deployment?
A: Yes. Please leave a point of contact for Rear Detachment with us in case we need to contact you regarding your allotment.

Q: What if I am a single parent and am deployed? Can I appoint someone to occupy my home to take care of my children?
A: Yes. We do need documentation in your file regarding this. We will need an Exception to Occupancy document filled out with point of contact information, a copy of the Special Power of Attorny as well as the paperwork showing you've given temporary guardianship of your child/children to your appointee.

Q: What if I am deployed and my family wants to visit family for an extended period of time?
A: We will need the spouse to come into our office and fill out our Point of Contact form. This lists phone numbers where the spouse can be reached, as well as who may be contacted in the area if an emergency exists. A key may be left at the Community Management Office, in a sealed envelope for emergency purposes. Your BAH allotment must stay with Balfour Beatty Communities. You will still be held responsible for cutting the grass in a fenced in yard, or designate someone to do it for you.

Q: What do I do if my allotment for BAH has stopped for any reason?
A: Unless you've properly cleared your quarters, the allotment will automatically start back up the next month, however, your past due rent for the month in which we have missed your allotment would be due immediately. Your spouse may come into our office to pay this directly. Please contact our office, or have your Rear Detachment contact our office it this occurs. If this becomes a reoccurring situation, and Balfour Beatty Communities is not contacted we may terminate the lease.

Q: What if I decide to move off post before/during my deployment?
A: We require written documentation of your deployment status stating you are deployed for more than 90 days, as well as a 30-day written notice to vacate. The spouse will also need a Power of Attorney to clear, if the soldier is not present.

Q: What happens if my name is called on the wait list and I am deployed?
A: Please make sure we have contact phone numbers for your spouse that we may call when your wait list number is up. Your spouse may sign for quarters on post, but will need a Special Power of Attorney, allowing them to start the allotment for your BAH, as well as pay the prorated rent. Please also make sure your spouse knows how to contact and set up your transportation appointment.


Construction / Renovation Questions

Q: How much notice will be given prior to the move?
A: All efforts will be made to provide as much notice as possible; however, you will be given a minimum of 30 days notice.

Q: If I am moved due to renovation/demolition, will I have to clean my home?
A: The home must be clean from a health and safety perspective and the appliances must be fully cleaned, however, the standards of cleanliness will be less than for a unit that is occupied. You will be provided those standards by the Community Management Office.

Q: If my neighborhood is part of the construction and I have to move, who will pay for the move?
A: The Army and Balfour Beatty Communities will pay for your move. Your transfer of cable and telephone will also be reimbursed.


Utility Questions

Q: Will I have to pay utilities for my home?
A: Currently utilities (gas, electric, water and sewer) are included in your rent. Once all of the homes in a neighborhood are equipped with electric and gas meters, consumption and costs will be tracked for one year. An average consumption will be determined for each type of unit in each neighborhood and this will be established as the initial utility allowance. This allowance will be placed in a reserve account. Residents whose consumption exceeds 115% of that initial utility allowance will be billed for that excess amount over 115% on a quarterly basis in arrears. Residents whose consumption is at less than 85% of the initial utility allowance will be given a credit for the cumulative savings at the end of their lease.

Q: When will homes be metered?
A: Homes will be metered as they are built or renovated. There is not a specific timetable at this time.

Miscellaneous Questions

Q: Are RVs and Boats permitted in Privatized Housing?
A: Parking for Recreational Vehicles such as RV’s, boats and trailers, are not allowed in any family housing neighborhood.

Q: Will BAH impact the WIC Program?
A: No. BAH is not counted as income when calculating eligibility for this nutritional program.

Q: Will BAH impact the Free Lunch Program?
A: Now that BAH will be shown on your LES statement, it will not be counted as income and will not impact your family eligibility.

Q: Is there be a self-help program?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities has on-site professional maintenance personnel to provide responsive care for every home. We ask residents to leave home repairs to these professionals by calling in a service request. You may visit our Self-Help Department at 2021 Sheridan Road or contact us at 915-564-0459.  For a complete list of available items - please click on the Self Help Items link.  Self Help Items.pdf

Q: Are provisions being made for exceptional family members in Privatized Housing?
A: The RCI program requires that 5% of the units meet accessibility standards. Additionally, the Community Manager will ensure that each family's requirements are discussed and a plan is developed to meet their individual needs.


Payment Questions

Q: If both spouses in are service members, do they both "forfeit" BAH rent?
A: BAH is collected only from the most senior service member.

Q: What does my rent include?
A: Your rent will include your electric, gas, water, sewer, and fuel oil for heat. It also includes a Personal Property Insurance policy to cover your personal belongings up to $20,000 with a $250 deductible.

Q: If my rent is late, do I need to pay a late fee?
A: The late fee for rent and all other charges that are not paid in a timely manner is $25.

Q: How much is my rent?
A: The amount of your rent is set at your BAH.

Q: If I receive a promotion or demotion, what is the amount of my rent?
A: The rent will increase for a promotion and decrease for a demotion. The rental amount is always the amount of the BAH. It is your responsibility to notify the Community Management Office within five (5) days of any promotions or demotions.

Q: What is the eviction policy?
A: Residents may be evicted for non-payment, egregious acts, or failure to follow Community Policies. The Command will always be involved in all eviction proceedings.

Q: Now that BAH is noted on my LES, is this amount taxable?
A: No, BAH is not taxable.

Q: Who is responsible for answering our payment questions?
A: You may direct your questions to the Community Manager.

Q: The current year BAH amount for my grade and ZIP Code is less than I was getting last year--am I going to lose money?
A: No. BAH rate protection will keep individuals from having reductions in housing allowances as long as they maintain "uninterrupted eligibility" for BAH. This mean individuals will be entitled to the 1 January rate for their grade and location or the housing allowance they were being paid on 3 December of the previous year, whichever is larger.

Q: Can I ever lose rate protection?
A: Three separate circumstances may lead to a change in your status that "interrupts your eligibility" for the allowance, and then, only if the published allowance for your grade and location is less than what you are getting now.

First, and most common, a decrease will occur when your PCS to a location where the cost of housing is less than your current duty station. At the new duty station you will get a lower housing allowance, but you should be no worse off, because housing will cost less there.

Second, if you are demoted, your housing allowance will revert to the current published rate shown in the table of allowances for your lower grade. Promotions will not lower your housing allowance.

Third, if your dependency status changes (from with dependents to without dependents, or vice versa), your housing allowance will be determined by your new dependency status and the current rate shown in the table of allowances for your grade.

Q: Will rent be prorated if I move out other than the last day of the month?
A: The month will be divided into 30 equal periods, despite the number of days in any given month. The rent will be assessed only for the days that you lived in housing.

Q: How will I pay rent?
A: For Service Members in the Army, Navy and Air Force:
Rent is paid by Allotment. Your BAH will be wired to the Military Assistance Corporation (MAC) who is a contractor that collects allotments and remits these payments to vendors. MAC will wire the funds to Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range Housing, LLC (Balfour Beatty Communities). You will see your BAH on your LES as an entitlement and as a payment to Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range Housing, LLC. The advantages of payment by Allotment are that you will not be required to pay a Security Deposit and your rent will be due in arrears.


For Service Members in the Marines:
The same applies as the answer above, however, you are responsible for filling out an Allotment Form (DD Form 2558) and forwarding your copy of the DD Form 2558 to your finance administrator.

For Service Members in the Coast Guard:
The same applies as the answer above, however, you are responsible for filling out an Allotment Worksheet (CG PSC-2040). Balfour Beatty Communities maintains a copy of the PSC-2040 and you take the original signed PSC-2040 to your PERSRU Office for initiation of the rent allotment.


Pet Questions

Q: Is there a pet weight/policy?
A: The number of pets in a home is limited to two. Residents are required to execute a "Pet Addendum". The following aggressive breeds are not permitted: Akita, Chow, Doberman, Pit Bull, Rotweiller, American Staffordshire Terriers, English Stafford Terriers, Bull Terriers, Wolf Hybrids or any other breed with dominant traits geared toward aggression. You will be responsible for any pet damages. Exotic pets are not allowed.


Assignment Questions

Q: How will the waiting list process be managed?
A: The Balfour Beatty Communities Management Office will maintain the referral lists by rank and bedroom size. The Management Office will refer units as they become available.

Q: How will the Assignment process work?
A: You can complete the online application at www.ftblissfamilyhousing.com or you may come in to the Community Management Office in person, located at 1991 Marshall Road.

Q: Can a family be moved from a three bedroom to a two bedroom if they only have one child?
A: No. Once settled in, you will not be downgraded.

Q: What happens if my family size increases?
A: You go to the Balfour Beatty Communities Management Office to be placed on the proper referral list. You may apply for a larger unit through the Community Management Office, Balfour Beatty Communities will not pay for the cost of the move.

Q: What is the process for the waiting list?
A: Residents must apply for housing within 30 days of arrival. If housing is not available, an active waiting list by grade and number of bedrooms will be established. Waiting list will be posted at the Community Management Office as well as in the website. The list will be updated weekly.


Maintenance Questions

Q: Who provides maintenance for my home?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities provides maintenance services.

Q: Whom do we contact with concerns of maintenance issues?
A: Residents may contact the Balfour Beatty Communities Maintenance Office, located at 2021 Sheridan Road. Office hours are Monday - Friday: 8:00am to 5:00 pm or call us at 915-564-0459.

Q: How do we make a maintenance request?
A: You may call 915-564-0459 to report an emergency, or to request maintenance repairs. You may also initiate maintenance service via our website or by coming by our office located at 2021 Sheridan Road. Office hours Monday - Friday: 8:00am to 5:00 pm .


Leasing Questions

Q: What if I receive orders to PCS or TDY for more than thirty days?
A: The lease contains provisions that will allow you to break your lease with thirty (30) days notice and a copy of the orders.

Q: What if I receive immediate orders and am not able to provide thirty (30) days notice?
A: The lease allows you to provide a shorter notice if you can provide documentation of your immediate orders.

Q: Do I have to sign a lease?
A: Yes, all residents will be required to sign a lease in order to protect themselves as well as the partnership.

Q: What if I decide to "break" my lease for other reasons, prior to the one-year expiration?
A: You will be required to provide a thirty (30) days notice and pay a lease termination fee equal to 4 days BAH.  If one year lease has not been fulfilled fee is equal to one month BAH.

Q: What happens if a divorce occurs in a family residing in Housing?
A: The policy is the same as it was when the Army operated the Housing. The first day that the service member resides away from the home, a thirty (30) day written notice must be submitted. The spouse and the family will be required to vacate the home within thirty (30) days of physical separation. In these cases, the lease may be broken.

Q: How will I sign the lease if the military member is deployed or on an unaccompanied tour?
A: Please designate a special or general power-of-attorney for you spouse. If you are unable to do that, please contact the Community Management Office for further assistance