Privatized on-base housing is available to Team Scott Published Dec. 4, 2013 By Senior Airman Divine Cox 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Many people may be aware that privatized housing is a Department of Defense initiative that provides quality housing for Airmen and their families, but they may not know that these homes are also available for non-military personnel, too. "Privatized housing is also for retirees, GS and NAF employees, as well as DoD contractors who work at Scott," said Joanne Carlon, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron housing manager. Active duty military personnel and their families authorized to reside on the installation are target tenants for privatized housing, but the housing office opens its doors to other possible tenants. Michelle Oliver, Hunt family housing community director, explained, "As part of the privatization initiative, if the occupancy falls below certain levels, housing can open up a priority placement list for other eligible tenants. We have more than 1,500 privatized homes here and approximately 80 homes are vacant at this time." Civilians are offered the same benefits and amenities as the active duty personnel, but they do have to pay their own utility bills. "There is an option for them to purchase a corporate suite," said Oliver. "The corporate suite is a furnished home that will cost a little extra, but the utilities are included in the price." A market survey was done to make sure Scott Family Housing stays comparable in pricing to the local community. "We don't want to be over the market price, because then people will just decide to live off base instead of on base," Oliver said. "Having a price that is comparable to the rest of the community will make the decision to live on base easier, especially since the commute to and from work is easy." Carlon added, "Our main goal is to provide a comfortable, safe, and affordable community for our tenants, and that's exactly what we do at Scott Air Force Base."