Private firm to manage family housing at NAS Meridian

Published 11:17 pm Thursday, May 17, 2007

Naval Air Station Meridian is currently working with a private development company to take over management of the base’s family housing units, a move that military officials believe will help improve the standard of living for its military families.

Representatives from GMH Military Housing of Newton Square, Pennsylvania, informed members of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors on Thursday of the base’s plans. Paul Hannan, vice president of business development, said the company plans to close the deal on Sept. 30.

“As part of the privatization of the housing we are not looking for additional resources, no additional assistance with fire and police, we are looking to do things the way they have always done them,” Hannan said.

The Navy Southeast Housing Privatization program is one of more than 100 public/private ventures under way across the country. GMH is overseeing the privatization of family housing units in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Texas.

Capt. Russell Knight, commanding officer of NAS Meridian, said the plan will reduce the base’s family housing units from about 481 to 163. He said of the 481 units on base, about 327 are livable. He said of the 1,300 people on base only about 150 families are currently living on base.

Knight said the single living units will not be affected by the privatization.

He said GMH Military Housing will maintain the properties and will be responsible for upgrades and maintenance.

According to a statement of facts provided to supervisors by GMH, the move is the result of the U.S. Department of Defense’s realization that more than 60 percent of the country’s military housing is inadequate. According to the statement, the Department of Defense concluded there was not enough funding available to fix the problem.

In 1996, Congress passed the Military Housing Privatization Initiative legislation to provide the military with the tools needed to improve the quality of life for its service members.

Knight told supervisors he wanted them to meet representatives from GMH to deter any rumors that may be floating around the community about the project at NAS Meridian. He said the base has received calls that the base’s family housing units are going to low-income housing and that more school buses will be required to transport additional students. He said none of that is true.

“When you start to get calls, we wanted you to know the facts so you can convey that to your constituents,” Knight said.

Hannan said 60 to 70 percent of the subcontracting work will be awarded to local companies. He said his company will work with the East Mississippi Business Development Corp. to organize job fairs this summer.

In other business, supervisors informed Bobby Wilder, game warden with Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, that Malone Ranch is not open to the public. Wilder said there has been some illegal fishing there lately and he wanted clarification from the board about its accessibility.

Board President Jimmie Smith, who represents District 2, said game wardens are to write tickets for trespassing to those caught fishing at Malone Ranch.