HOUSING NEWS & RESOURCES
Housing Updates
Here is the latest IMCOM checklist to combat mold in your home, barracks and office:
Mayor Program
Fort Belvoir Mayor Program
In its ongoing effort to improve ways to address resident concerns and provide service and support for Service members and their Families who choose to live on post, Fort Belvoir initiated the Mayor Program.
The program relies on a volunteer staff of 15 Service members, who serve in a key leadership role, called mayors, who represent each of the 15 distinct neighborhoods of The Villages at Belvoir.
Fort Belvoir's Garrison Mayor Program remains the only Army authorized group to represent the interests of the residents on Fort Belvoir. The mayors meet with the Garrison Commander and the housing partners once a month to discuss installation events, programs, issues and concerns. In addition to the regular meetings, the mayors are key in helping to resolve resident concerns, quickly and efficiently, by fielding complaints and directing residents to authorities who can help. Mayors also work with the Fort Belvoir Ombudsman to assist in resolving village resident concerns and enhance communication between housing residents and the Garrison leadership.
To contact your mayor, join your village's Mayor Facebook Group or send them an email.
Residents should also be familiar with and refer to the Levels of Escalation to guide them in resolving any housing concerns.
If you would like to contact the Fort Belvoir Housing Ombudsman, call 703-898-1524 or the Housing Hotline at 571-259-9867.
VILLAGE MAYORS:
Belvoir Village, belvoirvillagemayor@gmail.com
Cedar Grove Village, cedargrovevillages@gmail.com
Colyer Village, colyermayor@gmail.com
Dogue Creek Village, doguecreekmayor@gmail.com
Fairfax Village, fairfaxvillagemayor1@gmail.com
George Washington Village, georgewashingtonmayor@gmail.com
Herryford Village, herryfordmayor@gmail.com
Jadwin Loop Village, jadwinloopmayor@gmail.com
Lewis Village, mayorlewisvillage@gmail.com
Park Village, parkvillagemayor@gmail.com
River Village, rivervillagemayor@gmail.com
Rossell Village, rossellvillagemayor@gmail.com
Vernondale Village, vernondalevillagemayor@gmail.com
Woodlawn Village, woodlawnvillagemayor@gmail.com
Safety Tips
Industrial Hygiene Corner
Each month, Fort Belvoir's Industrial Hygienist will share important safety tips with the community to help keep our residents safe and healthy. Check out the tips below!
Learn more about what Industrial Hygienists do for Fort Belvoir housing in an episode of the "Belvoir In The Know Podcast" here.
February 2023 - Winter Home Checklist
- Check your gutters to ensure they are clean and clear of leaves, twigs, etc. While doing that, check your gutters to make sure they are properly affixed to the house.
- Make sure broken branches are off the roof.
- Make sure tree branches are cut away from roof and house. This protects the house and keeps critters away.
- Make sure bushes are trimmed away from and not touching the house. Bush branches can damage siding, creating gaps where rain and critters can get in.
- Check your siding to make sure gaps haven’t opened up that could let rain in.
- Dryer exhaust is clean and clear of lint, debris etc. Also make sure dryer vent door closes completely to keep out critters.
- Exposed pipes around the house are not leaking.
- All gutter downspouts are clean and that the area under your downspouts is graded so that water from the roof is flowing away from your foundation.
- Splash guards or some erosion control should be present to channel water away from the foundation.
- Keep windows clear and free of condensation.
- Keep exhaust fans clean and clear of dirt and debris by keeping the exhausts clean, air is allowed to be exhausted, reducing the chances of mold.
- Exhaust fan covers should be vacuumed annually at a minimum. If it’s possible, bring the cover down, and vacuum the fan out with a brush attachment (make sure the fan is off).
- In addition—recommend running bathroom exhaust 10-20 minutes after done showering/bathing to take away humidity.
- Shower curtain should be inside the tub/shower to keep as much water inside the tub/shower as possible.
January 2023 - Indoor Moisture
Signs of a Problem
- Water leaks and stains on walls
- A musty, earthly odor
- Warped walls or floors
- Peeling or bubbling paint
Sources of Moisture
- High indoor humidity
- Cooking without proper ventilation
- Showering without proper ventilation
- Improperly vented clothes dryer
- Leaking pipes
- Leaking roof
Prevention Tips
- Ventilate areas that get wet and damp, such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or crawlspaces
- Using a dehumidifier
- Use an exhaust fan when showering – let the exhaust fan continue to run for at least 20 minutes after showering
- Use range hood and exhaust fan while cooking
July 2022 - Heat Safety
- Air conditioning is the best way to cool off
- Drink fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty and avoid alcohol
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing and a hat
- Replace lost salt from sweating by drinking fruit juice or sports drinks
- Avoid spending time outdoors during the hottest time of the day (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
- Wear sunscreen; sunburn affects the body's ability to cool itself
- Pace yourself when you exercise
- Keep each other safe: check on your neighbors who are elderly, house-bound or otherwise may be reluctant to ask for help by offering to host them in your air-conditioned home on hot days, drive them to local cooling centers or call relatives or city services to arrange for them to stay cool
June 2022 - National Safety Month
- Use appropriate safety equipment
- Prevent trips, slips and falls by keeping all floors clean and dry
- Take breaks regularly
- Report any local safety concerns
- Locate all emergency exits in a facility
May 2022 - May Flowers
- Ensure that you know the rules of the road and wear the appropriate safety gear while riding a bike
- Make it a priority to change your smoke alarms
- Take the appropriate precautions with children around the pool or any body of water
- Prepare an emergency weather kit
- Limit sun exposure
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat stress and learn how to handle it
- Pay attention to poisonous plants
April 2022 - April Showers
- Be aware of any changes in temperature and weather. That could mean a lot of mud and slippery conditions.
- As the weather improves, there will be an increased number of insects and ticks. It is recommended to wear long sleeves and gloves for outdoor jobs.
- Use insect repellant while outdoors
- Ensure yard equipment is functioning properly
- Reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer by wearing long sleeves, a wide-brimmed at, sunglasses and SPF 15+ sunscreen
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
March 2022 - March into Spring Cleaning
- Substitute harsh cleaning solvents with natural or organic solvents
- Use general ventilation; remember to open windows and doors when cleaning
- Wear the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when using cleaners. Be sure to read the labels and follow the directions
- Keep all cleaning solutions away from children
- To prevent fires, thoroughly clean the link trap in your clothes dryer
- When working in the yard, wear the proper clothing (long pants), hearing protection and goggles for cutting the grass, trimming shrubs
- Wear gloves when gardening and wear a hat for protection from the sun
- Always wear the proper footwear when doing any type of yard work
Housing Q&A
Q. What is the Mayor Program?
A. The Fort Belvoir Mayor Program is the Garrison Commander’s program, which was initiated as part of the Army's ongoing efforts to improve military housing. The mission of the program is to enhance the Quality of Life for Fort Belvoir residents, increase unit chain of command involvement and visibility, improve communication between the Garrison leadership and Residents, and develop a sense of community within each of the 15 villages of Fort Belvoir.
Q. Where can I find the contact information for all of the Mayors?
A. The name and email for each of the 15 Mayors is located on the 'Housing Portal' under the "Mayor Program" Tab. You can also contact your mayor via their official Facebook group here.
Q. Do Mayors and Deputy Mayors get compensated?
A. No. Mayors and Deputy Mayors are volunteer positions that are registered through the ACS Volunteer Corp program.
Q. Does the Mayor Program replace the Levels of Escalation?
A. No, the Mayor Program or the Ombudsman does not replace the Levels of Escalation. Residents still have the option to use the chain of command outlined in the Levels of Escalation to resolve their housing concerns or they can use their Mayor and Ombudsman to advocate on their behalf.
Q. Will the Mayors get the opportunity to communicate with their residents?
A. The Mayors meet with the Garrison Command Team once a month to discuss housing concerns, issues, recommendations, installation events and activities. Additionally, the Mayors and Deputy Mayors meet with the Ombudsman on a regular basis.
Q. How will the housing Mayors and Deputy Mayors communicate with their residents?
A. Mayors will use their Facebook page that represents their respective community to disseminate information and address questions.
Q. What can Mayors do for their residents?
A. Mayors and Deputy Mayors are a tremendous asset to both residents and our housing partners. Mayors can assist residents by serving as a housing liaison which allows the resident to focus on other priorities. They can also diffuse situations and offer alternative courses of action to resolve their concerns. Due to their positions, they are often able to take concerns directly to the appropriate person to resolve their issues. They can also provide guidance on quality of life issues outside of housing, such as, reenlisting, spouse employment, schools, etc.
Q. How can I contact the Fort Belvoir Ombudsman?
A. The Fort Belvoir Ombudsman can be reached at 540-273-7450.
The following answers were from questions at the Oct. 23 Town Hall:
Directorate of Emergency Services
Q: What is the reason for a sudden change in gate policy? Will the trusted traveler program ever be reinstated?
A: Changes to access control were directed based on vulnerabilities identified with the former entry procedures. Specifically, vetting of individuals revealed significant concerns. Changes were implemented immediately subsequent to threat working group and consultation with Joint Terrorism Task Force, Counterintelligence, Law Enforcement, and other applicable agencies. Currently, changes across the Department of the Army are in coordination due to the information obtained. Our first goal is the safety and security of our residents, community, and many programs located on the installation with strategic importance.
Q: What is going to be done to ensure that the 15mph speed limit will be enforced on the road that leads to the CDC closest to the upper and lower elementary schools?
A: DES commits 100% of our traffic section to the school area during peak times. DES has recommended the garrison consider requesting an Exception To Policy from the Army to place speed humps, Near the area of concern as speed bumps are not authorized. DES believes speed humps are a viable option for traffic calming in the area.
Q: As a small business owner who built their business specifically to serve the Fort Belvoir community is there going to be an opportunity to deliver on base again?
A: Businesses can deliver to Fort Belvoir. However, drivers need a sponsor for access. Food deliveries may be received at the Visitor Center parking area. More information regarding the specific type of deliveries referenced in this question are required to provide a better answer.
Q: What is the likelihood of a gate guard or additional security presence in Woodlawn Village? Ways to increase response time in the event of emergencies?
A: Previously Woodlawn was assigned guards to provide some level of access control to the neighborhood. However, residents reportedly complained about guards at the neighborhood, and the Army removed the positions to comply with the request of residents. Manpower was removed from Fort Belvoir as a result. Emergency Services provides intermittent police patrols for the area. Fairfax County also conducts patrolling for the exterior of the neighborhood and has reduced the criminal threat significantly. Due to the neighborhood designation as federal exclusive jurisdiction, local authorities are unable to provide police patrols. Therefore, Army law enforcement, whether civilian or military, are required to conduct enforcement activities. Criminal activity is low at the neighborhood and few reports of incidents are received by Emergency Services. We will continue to assess the situation at Woodlawn and provide patrol coverage at every opportunity.
Q: What is going to be done to ensure that the 15mph speed limit will be enforced on the road that leads to the CDC closest to the upper and lower elementary schools?
A: To ensure that the 15 mph speed limit is enforced near the schools, the DES has taken several measures that have been implemented to include, ensuring that the speed limit signs are clearly marked and readable. The DES has conducted stealth stat studies to support the request for traffic enforcement in the area. The DES also uses Social Media sites to educate the community about the speed limit and its importance for safety which assists with compliance.
Q: What is being done about speeding vehicles around school-aged pedestrians?
A: The Garrison’s Staff Judge Advocate office works closely with the Department of Justice to prosecute traffic and other criminal offenses that occur on the installation once the suspected violator is identified and processed through the law enforcement channels.
Villages at Belvoir
Q: For the new construction at the top of Belvoir Village, are the parking concerns continuing to be addressed? A fence was placed with less than 24hrs notice which restricts access to our garage and leaves no nearby parking for our oversized vehicle. Housing has passed along my concerns but I have received no response. Additionally, will parking options be installed or created near the homes?
A: We are currently collaborating with the environmental teams and Garrison team to explore options for adding additional parking in the back of the homes, allow for parking in front of the homes, and usage of the parking lot next to the homes.
Q: Why does it take an ICE complaint to get housing to address situations that need immediate attention like mold, mice or even gas leaks?
A: Residents have several options to follow up on issues aside from the ICE comment system. The Villages have an escalation process in place to assist residents. You can meet or call our community office team members, speak directly with maintenance supervisors, or use the maintenance published number to reach teammates. Additionally, there’s an escalation phone number listed in our handout and our Resident Engagement specialist that assists with resident concerns. Residents can also communicate through the Active Building portal, which is accessible to multiple staff members at the Villages. We encourage you to use any of these options for support.
Q: The Villages at Belvoir website has not updated its “Latest Progress” page since 2022. When can we expect the page to be updated?
A: Noted and will be working with our marketing team to update.
Q: How to help improve allotment for Service members outside of U.S. Army?
A: We do not control allotments. This is a finance issue. We can only assist in setting up an allotment.
Q: What is the potential for progress notes on maintenance issues?
A: Training is being addressed with the team on updating notes more frequently and with more transparency.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Q: When will the car wash be back in service?
A: There are several challenges with the car wash that we are working to correct. To begin, the electric in the breaker box to provide electricity to the compressor is having load issues. We are working with the Directorate of Public Works to get that resolved. In addition to the electric challenges, we have a compressor issue and are working with a third-party contractor to resolve the issues. Unfortunately, we do not have a clear timeframe at this time but hope to have a better understanding next week.
Q: Gyms are open 24/7 but the bathrooms inside are not. Can we allow 24-hour access to bathrooms and showers in gyms during that time?
A: While there is access to the bathrooms in the front lobby of Graves Fitness Center during 24/7, the locker rooms are closed due to the sauna and steam rooms and potential safety risks.
Q: Have you reached out to Air Force bases in the area that offer pool access at no cost? What are they doing different to keep it running and staff it with lifeguards?
A: While the Air Force may offer pool access at no cost, the Fort Belvoir Connolly Pool Complex operates as a Category B MWR business and must perform with a positive Net Income per guidelines and operating policies. To do this, we must run the pool as a business with fees to cover all operational expenses including labor. The pay for lifeguards in the area has significantly increased over the past 3-5 years. To recruit and retain lifeguards we have increased lifeguard pay to compete with other pools in the area which in turn also increases the fees for patron to use the pools. To operate seven days a week we would need to increase fees to cover the labor required.
School Liaison Officer
Garrison Housing
Q: What kind of locks will the barracks be receiving and when?
A: The barracks lock replacement projects are currently being developed in DPW Engineering Division. The specific type of locks has not yet been determined. Projects are being developed for FY25 execution.
Q: After calling lock out numbers, Soldiers are being told they can only respond if the lock is damaged, not if they’ve left their key inside the room and are just locked out?
A: Barracks occupants are issued a key card but are also provided a PIN code to allow for access if they should leave their key card in their room.
Directorate of Public Works
Q: Are there plans to install a sidewalk from Belvoir Rd. to Surveyor Rd. in George Washington Village?
A: This topic has been discussed during several Mayors’ Meeting and preliminary assessment has been made. Due to the lack of spaces along the road, the construction/installation of sidewalk was determined to be cost prohibitable. Public Works will assess an alternate path for a safe pedestrian walkway.
Q: Any plans for improving GW’s existing sidewalks with uneven surfaces and cracks?
A: DPW is continuously assessing our pavement and sidewalk conditions to ensure safety. If the mentioned uneven and cracked sidewalk is within the boundary of the village, this should be requested to The Michaels Organization, our Residential Communities partner, for repair. Public Works will assess those sidewalks outside of the village and as necessary, will plan to repair to ensure safety.
Housing Questions
Q. Are there any plans to increase the contract oversight of privatized housing? Low quality maintenance, poor care of landscape, and lack of any long-term maintenance of homes with little recourse for tenants must change.
A. Congress is looking through various avenues on ways to increase the oversight of privatized housing. Some of those ways are seen with changes/amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Q. Given the current housing shortage within the DMV, why do houses sit vacant for several months?
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): Our General Officer Belvoir homes are assigned by the Director of Army Staff office from the Pentagon. They are allotted a timeframe (75 days) to assign the homes before we are able to assign the homes.
Q. Why isn't there some sort of scheduled housing updates? Two examples: we have a bathroom that the cabinet and medicine cabinet is probably 30 years old, the laminate wood is flaking off, yet housing refuses to replace it? Also, the horrible chandelier in the dining room is an eyesore for everyone.
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): Cosmetic fixes are typically updated on turn or if a work order is placed to have the item fixed. This feedback about the chandelier is valuable and will be noted when future renovations are considered.
Q. How can maintenance schedule an appointment and not show up for it, and what recourse do we have when we sit at home and wait during the designated window?
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): No showing for an appointment without proper notification should not happen. We are sorry this happened and work to ensure we communicate with every resident when we need to reschedule. If you have experienced a no-call/no-show, please reach out to the Community Director and/or Facility Director.
Q. Why do some houses still not have new appliances? It was shared 4 years ago that all houses on the village had appliances purchased for them and would be replaced. What happened to all of the bought appliances?
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): The program to upgrade working appliances has been put on hold and has not resumed. We are replacing appliances as necessary when they fail. There was not a bulk purchase of appliances.
Q. Who is George and why do all my work orders go to him to die?
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): George Conley is the Maintenance Supervisor for Belvoir Village. If you have been waiting for a response from George, please reach out to the Facility Director.
Q. Why is there no system or accountability with work orders?
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): The Villages at Belvoir uses the RealPage platform to track all work orders and notes for each work order. This platform is visible to multiple layers of oversight.
Q. Why do the yard people never show up two weeks in a row, who runs that contract?
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): We have a third-party vendor that cuts the grass. If a lawn is missed, we ask residents call their community office or put in a work order, so we are able to follow up.
Q. What is the process for outsourced maintenance calls and what is a reasonable wait time for project completion? Example: Several broken floorboards were submitted in January and replaced in late April. A downspout was not attached to the house. A work order was placed in May and then stayed "on hold" until November. A chimney cleaning request was submitted on 10/24 and is "in progress"
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): There are many factors that determine the time for completion of a project or maintenance calls. Anything related to life/health/safety is an emergency and should be stabilized within 24 hours. Work orders related to quality of life (e.g. range functionality, no fridge) are urgent and should be stabilized within 48 hours. Standard work orders (interior door handle, towel bar, etc.) are categorized by availability of parts as well as staffing.
Q. What recourse do we have with poor workmanship by outside vendors? When work is finally complete, no one from maintenance inspects the work. As a homeowner, I would not pay for the poor work completed. Example: A contractor arrived to work on my roof and had never fixed a slate roof before. He assumed I had the supplies, left and came back a week later only to admit this was his first such roof. A contractor arrived to repair floor boards in my sunroom and rather than use the correct size boards, very poorly filled the gaps with wood putty. A contractor arrived to fix a clogged toilet that backed up into the tub (the toilet issues had been reported by the previous owner but was never fixed so he used another bathroom). When he left, the toilet was not reseated properly. Not to mention he left a mess from the master bath to the front door that the maintenance team had to come clean.
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): We strive for 100% satisfaction and ask all residents to notify us if they are not satisfied with either our work or any vendor work. When we are notified of poor workmanship or customer service by our vendors, they are issued a Corrective Action Notice. If a vendor has multiple or egregious issues, the work relationship will be severed. Please notify your Community Manager promptly if this takes place.
Q. Why, when there is a contract to replace all old white appliances, do ten houses (according to George) still have white appliances? And when my oven (and another's fridge) failed earlier this year, they were replaced with white appliances rather than stainless. From a cost and depreciation perspective, it does not make sense.
A. (Answer from The Villages at Belvoir): When an appliance fails or cannot be repaired, we try not to mix and match. However, if a different color is all we have in stock, we will replace that broken item with an in-stock item, so the resident does not have to go without. We have white appliances in most homes and therefore that is what we have the most stock of.
Other Questions
Q. When will the Fort Belvoir Officers' Club return to normal operations?
A. At this time, there are no plans to return to normal operations at the Officers’ Club. However, there may be certain services offered by the club in the future.
Q. Are there consistent procedures for gate entry (i.e. when to use the arm, when to check all passenger IDs)?
A. Since the Trusted Traveler Program has been reinstated, random security procedures, such as 100% ID check, searches, use of the pedestal (arm down) and handheld scanning, have been implemented in order to maintain security. We understand it can be confusing at times, however, DES remains committed to expediting installation access while also ensuring the safety of our customers, patrons, and residents. Click here to learn more about installation access.
Q. Why are the on-base gas stations still rationing gas to 30 gallons per purchase and why are they not more competitive to off-base prices? AAFES used to be considered a privilege, they no longer are.
A. (Answer from the Fort Belvoir Exchange): The Exchange monitors competitor prices throughout an automated system and makes price changes up to three times daily to maintain competitiveness in the marketplace. The Exchange policy on fuel pricing is to match local competition for each fuel grade where the competition offers a similar service at the same terms and conditions. The competitors are typically within the 5-mile radius in line of sight of the gate. Additionally, our pricing policy remains unchanged with the brand partnership with Amoco. The transition to TOP TIER™-certified branded fuel improves the Exchange’s already-secure fuel supply chain to further strengthen mission and community support, especially during emergencies and natural disasters.
For the purchase gallon limit, this is a default setting that is set up in our dispensers. It is also tied in to unattended fueling per EPA requirements (in case of any spills), which we do have at both of our Expresses. EPA guidelines at our stations are set as follows:
o Attended Fueling: 30-gallon limit
o Unattended Fueling (after hours): 24-gallon limit
Q. Why do people blow leaves around at the Fort Belvoir Officers' Club every week instead of cleaning them up once?
A. Currently, there is no place for the base operations contractor to take the leaves. However, this issue is still being evaluated.
Q. When will parking lines be painted and numbered in the recently paved sections of Dogue Creek?
A. Response from The Villages at Belvoir: This project is scheduled for Feb. 2-3.
Q. What is the process/oversight in ensuring that The Michaels Organization maintains accurate maintenance history records? We resided in a house in GW Village last year but were displaced due to mold. Our child has extensive medical issues, and his healthcare team asked to see the mold remediation results (however extensive they may have been). The Michaels Organization refused to provide that documentation, stating we no longer resided there. Additionally, the residents that moved into that home were not informed of any mold remediation. In fact, the maintenance history did not show any mold remediation, and they were told that the kitchen range was replaced due to rust. That is not factual, and we have photographic documentation showing mold there. Can Garrison tighten their oversight to ensure these occurrences do not continue?
A. Response from The Villages at Belvoir: No work was performed while the resident requesting the report was a current resident, thus the reports associated with the remediation would not have been applicable. Resident was, however, supplied with the inspection report of the findings. At the time the Villages was entering all work associated with the Between-occupancy-maintenance work orders under a general catch all “make ready”work order. This has been explained to the resident in question in depth, the Garrison was informed of the situation, and the new resident walked through the work completed with the Environmental Supervisor.
Q. Can Garrison provide the number of DES responses to gas leaks in Dogue Creek over the last year, and is Garrison as concerned as the residents of Dogue Creek are?
A. Response from the Directorate of Emergency Services: 10 of the 159 gas leak responses spanning Fort Belvoir were located within Dogue Creek between the time period of 1 DEC 2021 to 31 DEC 2022, according to the Fort Belvoir Fire Chief. These responses are similar to most military installations and is a frequent response spanning the DoD. Almost all housing responses on Fort Belvoir involve the area between the meter to the inside of the residence; therefore, DES would have to defer interested parties to the housing office for further clarification as responses of this type that are not external to the residence is outside the purview of DES. Any appliance and heating units are susceptible to gas leaks. Age of appliances, lines, and maintenance practices contribute to the frequency of responses.
Q. Can Garrison advocate for the residents of Dogue Creek, urging The Michaels Organization to complete the project as soon as possible without further delays? The Michaels Organization assured Dogue Creek residents multiple times that the newly paved parking areas would have lines/addresses painted to avoid parking confusion. That work remains incomplete, despite ample time to contract and finish the project.
A. Response from The Villages at Belvoir: This project is scheduled for Feb. 2-3.
Q. Can Garrison urge The Michaels Organization to maintain at least partial staffing during these training events, and what is Garrison doing to oversee work order completion and records keeping?
A. Response from The Villages at Belvoir: The Villages always has a vendor or skeleton crew to respond during training events. In any instances where a resident has shared they feel a work order has been closed without resolution, the information is shared with the Community Manager, Maintenance Supervisor, and Facilities Operations Manager to investigate. These training events are part of a solution presented in direct feedback with concerns about quality of workmanship shared by residents via the mayors and ICE comments.
Q. Why is/has a resident on Barlow Rd allowed to store a covered what appears to be unusable vehicle with expired license plates in a 00 spot for over 6 months now?
A. Response from The Villages at Belvoir: It is against the Villages’ Resident Responsibility Guide to store non-road worthy vehicles. We are aware of this situation and working with the family as they attempt to establish new tags for this vehicle.
Q. When a neighbor engages in suspicious behavior towards you or your children, if you cannot report it to April (as we personally have been told by April herself) who can you report it to?
A. Response from The Villages at Belvoir: The Villages encourages any families who see or suspect suspicious behavior to involve the MPs.
A. Response from the Directorate of Emergency Services: Call 9-1-1 and report suspicious behavior. Contact DES Community Relations Officer, LT Simpson-Stokes, or Military Police Investigations Chief, Mr. Bob Dillon, through the DES Emergency Communications Center at (703) 806-4277.
Q. How can maintenance be run better?
A. Response from The Villages at Belvoir: The Villages appreciates your feedback and look forward to hearing from all of you your experiences and ideas for potential process improvements. Our work orders are assigned to one of three priority levels; 1.) Emergency, 2). Urgent, 3). Routine. The standards for response and completion vary depending on the classification of priority. Routine work orders are scheduled for completion in AM or PM blocks. We don’t schedule emergency or routine work orders as fast response and resolution is imperative in those situations. The time for the work order to be added to the schedule depends upon current staffing, already scheduled appointments per day, and residents’ specific needs for scheduling (eg entry instructions). At times appointments run over or emergency situations come up. In all of these situations you should receive a call from the Customer Service Representatives or Maintenance Supervisor informing you. If this is not happening, please email mcramer@tmo.com with a cc to jwatkins@tmo.com with the work order number, scheduled time, and your contact information.
Army Housing in the News
Accessible housing increases on Fort Belvoir
Army establishes new certificate program for housing managers
Have an opinion about housing? Fort Belvoir residents asked to take 10-minute survey
US Army launches annual housing tenant satisfaction survey
Fort Belvoir housing under new leadership
Army Personal Property Summer peak season 2021
The Villages at Belvoir launches AIM: Anticipate, Inspect, Maintain
Helpful tips for the coming PCS Season
New Industrial Hygienist here to help Families, civilians
Recent survey results show housing satisfaction on the rise
Resources
ActiveBuilding Work Order System
Don't forget to register for the ActiveBuilding Resident Portal. This resource allows you to stay connectd with your community. A major benefit of ActiveBuilding is the option to submit routine work orders. This feature is only intended for routine work orders and does not include Emergency and/or Urgent work orders.
Be sure to check your e-mail for a system-generated e-mail from noreply@activebuilding.com. If you did not receive the email or your link has expired, contact your Community Management Team to request a new e-mail for you. For more information, visit The Villages at Belvoir.
Fort Belvoir's Army Housing Online User Services
Visit Fort Belvoir's Army Housing Online User Services page on the Official U.S. Army Housing Website.
Other Resources:
Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights
Formal Dispute Resolution Process
What You Should Know About Mold
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (effective October 1, 2019)
The Villages at Belvoir - Resources
Installation Housing Office Plain Language Briefing
Quarterly Community Housing Town Hall March 29
Formal Dispute Resolution Request Form
Informal Dispute Resolution Request Form


