Mayor Program
MAYOR PROGRAM
In the ongoing effort to improve the quality of life of Service members and their Families, the installation initiated the Mayor Program to address resident concerns and provide support to families who decide to live on post. The goals of the Mayor Program is to improve communications by creating a chain of concern and expedite the problem solving process between the resident and Balfour Beatty Communities (BBC).
The Mayor Program is managed by the Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) branch of the Army Housing Office. The program relies on a volunteer staff of 10 who represent each of the five distinct neighborhoods of privatized housing. Each neighborhood has an assigned Mayor and Assistant Mayor who serve in a key leadership role and represent their designated community’s issues and concerns to the Command. The mayors meet with housing partners from Army Housing and BBC once a month and the Garrison Commander joins quarterly to discuss installation programs, events, issues and concerns. In addition, mayors assist residents resolve concerns quickly and efficiently by fielding complaints and connecting residents to authorities who can help.
Call your RCI Team to get the name of your community's Mayor and Assistant Mayor at 706-791-9656 / 3205.
Dispute Resolution
HOW TO RESOLVE HOUSING CONCERNS
It is always best to address concerns and resolve issues at the lowest level whenever possible but we understand that is not always the case. The Levels of Escalation is your road map to resolving any housing concerns - think of it as a Chain of Command.
Remember to utilize your Chain of Command (CoC) team as well! Your CoC is not only a valuable resource but a support system for Soldiers who need assistance with housing concerns. The Soldier’s CoC attends the informal DR meeting with the Garrison Commander as an advocate for the resident, so keep them informed if you need help.
Level 1 - Submit Your Work Order
⦁ Online - Providence Family Homes Resident Portal ⚠or Rent Cafe app
⦁ Phone - 24-hour Emergency Maintenance Request Line: 706-772-9562
Level 2 - Make Contact
⦁ Providence Family Homes Management: 706-772-7041
⦁ Submit concerns to the Fort Eisenhower Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) System:
Army Housing Office
On-Post Family Housing-BBC
Level 3 - Escalate Up the Chain
⦁ BBC Cares Corporate Helpline: 877-253-6988
⦁ Notify your Chain of Command
Level 4 - Contact the Garrison
⦁ Contact Army Housing Office, RCI: 706-791-9656 / 3205
⚠ = Non-Federal Government site
DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS & FORMS
Most concerns are resolved successfully by the steps above. In those unresolved cases, there is dispute resolution. The Dispute Resolution (DR) process allows eligible tenants living on-post to obtain prompt and fair resolution of housing disputes concerning rights and responsibilities set forth in the Lease, including maintenance and repairs, rental payments, displacement rights, Lease termination, inspections, or fees and charges.
Residents are required to address housing issues with the BBC Community Management Office first and give them the opportunity to resolve the dispute.
If not satisfied, tenants must escalate the issue(s) to the Corporate Management Team at the BBC Cares Helpline: 877-253-6988.
Only after those efforts fail to resolve the dispute is the tenant allowed to initiate the informal resolution process through the Fort Eisenhower Military Housing Office (MHO). To initiate the DR, the Tenant must complete the Informal Dispute Resolution Request Form and return it to the RCI Office. Contact the RCI Housing Team at 706-791-9656.
If the tenant is still not satisfied with the informal DR outcome of the garrison commander’s decision, the resident may pursue the formal dispute resolution process as described in the Plain Language Briefing and in your Lease Agreement. The DR process and forms are available below:
Dispute Resolution Process
Informal Dispute Resolution Request Form
Formal Dispute Resolution Request Form
FAQs
A. The informal Dispute Resolution (DR) process is intended to resolve disputes by the garrison commander when the tenant’s efforts to resolve the issue with the landlord are unsuccessful. The formal DR process is available to tenants who are unable to reach an agreement during the informal DR, which is limited to “eligible housing disputes” as that term is defined in Schedule 3 of the Universal Lease. A “tenant” as defined in Section 2871 of Title 10 of the United States Code is a military member, their spouse or other eligible individual.
A. Lease disputes and disputes that are outside of lease parameters like personal property claims.
A. AFTER tenant’s efforts to resolve the dispute with BBC fail.
If Tenant has a dispute with respect to Owner’s performance of responsibilities under the Lease or attached schedules, Tenant shall first attempt to resolve it by bringing the request or concern to the attention of the Owner (BBC). If Tenant and Owner are unable to resolve such dispute to the reasonable satisfaction of either party, Tenant shall attempt to resolve such dispute through informal Dispute Resolution (DR) processes set forth by the Fort Gordon Garrison Housing Office.
The Tenant is required to attempt to resolve disputes first by coordinating with the property owner (BBC). Only after that effort fails to resolve the dispute is the tenant allowed to initiate the informal DR process by submitting a request form at MHO (RCI Housing Office). If the tenant did not previously attempt to resolve their dispute directly with the property owner, the MHO will inform the tenant the DR is ineligible to proceed.
A. The Tenant attempts to resolve the dispute by coordinating with Fort Gordon Family Homes/BBC. Only after that effort fails to resolve the dispute is the tenant allowed to initiate the informal Dispute Resolution (DR) process by submitting a request form at the Military Housing Office (MHO). The MHO at Fort Gordon is the Army RCI Housing Office. The MHO will provide a copy of the request form and supporting documents to the Garrison Commander (GC) and BBC company representative.
Within 3 business days, the GC should have completed a review the DR and determined if additional information from either or both parties is required or if an inspection of the premises will be required.
Within 5 business days the GC will convene a meeting with the parties. The parties may bring a representative to the meeting. The GC will have discretion to conduct the mediation as s/he sees fit, e.g., joint sessions or a private caucus, in order to best accommodate the parties and resolve the matter. The individuals attending the session will have full authority to resolve the dispute.
The length and number of sessions will be at the discretion of the GC, but the total time elapsed from receipt of the tenant’s request to conclusion of the process should normally not exceed 10 business days.
If agreement is not reached, the GC will conclude the informal DR phase and provide tenants written instructions about the formal DR process, which is limited to “eligible housing disputes” as that term is defined in the Schedule 3 of the Universal Lease. A “tenant” as defined in Section 2871 of Title 10 of the United States Code is a military member, their spouse or other eligible individual.
If the parties agree to resolve their dispute the terms will be reduced to a settlement agreement or other acceptable, binding document, prepared by the owner and subject to the tenant’s review. The GC will conclude the informal DR phase and the terms and conditions will be documented in a settlement agreement.
A. The tenant’s name, grade, address, contact information, rental/owner name and contact information, a statement describing the dispute and previous actions you have taken to resolve the dispute, list of supporting documentation, and Tenant signature.
PRO TIP: Include all documents that you feel help to substantiate your position. Examples of supporting documentation may include maintenance records, call logs, notes from conversations, pictures, and screen shots.
A. For the informal dispute resolution, the total time elapsed from receipt of the tenant’s request to conclusion of the process should normally not exceed 10 business days. The length and number of sessions will be at the discretion of the GC.
The formal dispute resolution process is normally within 30 days but up to 60 days if required.
A. Yes and no. If your dispute alleges the housing unit fails to meet the maintenance guidelines outlined in the universal lease agreement or applicable schedules or is uninhabitable in accordance to state or local laws, the tenant may request on the Request Form for BBC to withhold all or part of the received rent payments during the Dispute Resolution (DR) process up to 60 calendar days. Upon receipt of the Request Form, the Army Housing Office will notify BBC to initiate a partial or complete hold of rent payments. The withheld rent is segregated into a reserve account unavailable for use until the DR is complete.
The rights and responsibilities of the tenant and landlord remain in effect and continue pending completion of the DR process, to include access to the home, maintenance, and repairs.
A. Tenant or Owner may seek legal advice or seek to resolve the dispute and pursue any remedy available by law in accordance with applicable law, except that Tenant and Owner shall not pursue such remedy available in law while a formal dispute resolution process under Schedule 3 is pending.
If eligible, tenants may also utilize a legal assistance attorney to prepare the document. Legal assistance is available from the Staff Judge Advocates Office located in building 35202 behind the Huddle House, 267 Heritage Lane, Fort Gordon, GA 30905, 706-791-7812 or 7813.
A. The Army RCI Housing Office is the point of contact for dispute resolution and ready to assist with any on-post housing concerns. Feel free to stop by the office or call 706-791-9656 / 5116.
Darling Hall, Bldg. 33720, Room 147
307 Chamberlain Avenue, Building 33720, Room 147
Fort Gordon, GA 30905
Providence Family Homes
PROVIDENCE FAMILY HOMES
Location: 155 3rd Avenue, Fort Eisenhower, GA 30905
Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 706-772-7041
Providence Family Homes (PFH) offers on-post housing to eligible personnel and their families on Fort Eisenhower. PFH offers move-in-ready two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes in both single-family and townhome styles. Residents enjoy a secure and comfortable hometown environment with the convenience of 24-hour maintenance, lawn care services and community events.
You can begin the application process for on-post housing by completing the Online Leasing Inquiry. ⚠ To complete your application, PFH will need the following three documents listed below:
1. Official orders
2. FGFH application
3. DA Form 31 – Request and Authority for Leave
Once your application and all required documents are on file, you will then be added to their waitlist and PFH will review what possible housing options they may have available at your arrival time. Other documentation may be required depending on your situation. To accept a home, the Service Member must be signed in to this installation and present confirmation of clearing previous duty station (DA Form 31).
The eligibility date for privatized housing is determined according to the following criteria:
- If you are PCSing and are within the 30-day window, your eligibility date is the day you left your previous station (as verified by clearing papers).
- If you are PCSing and do not apply within the 30-day window, your eligibility date is the date of your application.
- If you are coming from an unaccompanied tour (e.g. Korea), your eligibility date is the date you departed your previous duty station for the unaccompanied tour, with a maximum credit of 14 months.
- If this is your first duty station and you are married, your eligibility date is your date of entry into the military. If you were married after the date of entry, your eligibility date is the date of the marriage.
To submit an application or inquire about waitlists, call 706-772-7041 and a Resident Specialist will be happy to assist you!
Resources
RESOURCES
Move-In/Move-Out Checklist - The move-in/move-out checklist is used to notate the condition of a rental property and report damage to the premises at both the start and end of the tenancy agreement. Per GA Code § 44-7-33 (2019), the landlord has three (3) business days to complete a property damage list and associated repair charges to be deducted from the security deposit.
Army Housing Online User Services (AHOUS) – The official U.S. Army Housing Website where users can quickly access housing services information for any Army installation by selecting the installation name from the dropdown.
Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Revised February 2021)
South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights
INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND LEAD-BASED PAINT
Mold Remediation and Clearance Fact Sheet (AHOUS)
Indoor Air Quality Health Complaints: Suspected Mold Exposure (AHOUS)
Post-Mold Remediation Household Goods Evaluation and Cleaning (AHOUS)
Indoor Air Quality and Mold Sample Result Fact Sheet (AHOUS)