BTL units transition to GRHP, economy housing Published Sept. 17, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Tenants of Build-to-Lease housing can expect some changes to their lease agreements beginning now and extending through 2013. The changes include transitioning a portion of the BTL to Government Rental Housing Program with the remaining homes being returned to the Italian landlords to rent on the economy. "From its' inception in 1955, Aviano Air Base has relied on off-base housing and in particular local economy rentals," said Col. Brian Kelly, 31st Mission Support Group commander. "Starting in 1990, as U.S. presence increased, Aviano was authorized to enter into a number of leases with local landlords under the Government Rental Housing Program. "Upon the decision to permanently base two squadrons of F-16s here, the large increase in U.S. personnel drove the need to construct Build-to-Lease housing to further supplement the local housing market," Colonel Kelly said. That increase in personnel led to the building of 530 BTL units at 17 different construction sites from 2000-2003. According to U.S. law, these sites and associated leases were authorized as maximum 10-year deals during the Aviano build-up. According to the housing office, each of these 10-year deals is now concluding with the first expirations coming due in 2010 and concluding by 2013. "As these 10-year leases expire, the houses themselves will return to the Italian landlord, who will then establish private leases on each unit with our Airmen or any other renters," said. Ginger Speake, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron Housing office Manager. "Within the next few months, a large group of our BTL units are expiring." In order to deal with the immediate leases expiring, the 31st Fighter Wing has formed a working group and developed a way to assume some of these leases through the Government Rental program. To make the transition easier, the working group has divided the BTL units into two groups. (See below for which communities fall in which group) In group one, families living in housing units transitioning between November of 2010 and February 2011 will not have to enter into private leases and will not be forced to give up their government housing. The housing office will transition the BTL unit to GRHP without the individuals needing to make any big changes. "The only difference tenants will see is in regards to the maintenance of their units," Ms. Speake said. "Before a unit transitions to GRHP, it is important to identify and take care of any current maintenance needs before the lease expires." Once the lease expires, tenants will then call the Housing Office at DSN 632-2272 for any maintenance issues. Housing will in turn contact the owner and track the progress until it is complete. Tenants in group two, those living in areas transitioning later in 2011 through 2013, will get full assistance from housing with transitioning to a private lease in their current location or with finding other economy housing in the area. According to finance, if a tenant transitions to a private lease, they will be authorized Overseas Housing Allowance, Utilities Allowance and other associated moving allowances. A Moving in Housing Allowance will only be authorized if the individual moves from their current residence into another economy house. For tenants worried about their home renting for more than their rental cap, the Housing office has and will continue to work with the landlords to ensure it does not. "We are very confident that the lowest ranking E-1 will be able to continue to afford the home they are in," said Ms. Speake. "There will be no out of pocket expense for your rent." The Housing Office recognizes there will be unique situations during this time period and will work on a case-by-case basis to ensure each family is properly taken care of. "If your lease expires in May and you leave in June, you might have additional options available to you," said Ms. Speake. "We'll meet with each individual and see what options are available depending on the scenario." The Housing office will be building a website to address questions and answers brought to them, along with additional information on the BTL transition. Tenants can access the link by going to www.aviano.af.mil and clicking on the pink housing tab on the right side of the webpage. "All in all, we have worked hard to make this transition as easy on our Airmen and families as we can, while also complying with the direction to reduce the number of government leases and rely more on economy housing which is now available in the communities surrounding Aviano Air Base," Colonel Kelly said. For more information, call Ms. Speake at 632-2272. GROUP 1: San Quirino: Expires May 2010 (GRHP'd) San Foca: Expires November 2010 San Martino: Expires December 2010 Maniago: Expires December 2010 Pordenone: Expires December 2010 Roverdo in Piano: Expires December 2010 San Giovanni del Tempio: Expires December 2010 Vigonovo 1 & 2: Expires December 2010 Viladolt 1: Expires February 2011 GROUP 2: Vigonova III: Expires June 2011 Aviano: Expires June 2011 Ceolini I: Expires June 2011 Vallenoncello: Expires August 2011 Viladolt II: Expires January 2012 Maniago Fratta: Expires February 2012 Ceolini II: Expires May 2012 Maniago Campagna: Expires June 2012 Sedrano: Expires November 2012 Ceolini III: Expires May 2013