U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Service members and their families living in base housing at the Air Force Academy have a new advocate in their neighborhood: Jason Jones.
Jones, a former enlisted Marine and Army officer, was installed as the base’s first-ever housing resident advocate in late June.
“I’m here to serve our community and ensure it has a voice if problems arise,” Jones said. “This position gives any resident a direct line to the command team if they have unresolved concerns or issues.”
Col. Brian Hartless, 10th Air Base Wing commander, said he’s confident Jones will empower residents to resolve challenges.
“My hope is that they see Mr. Jones as a partner, and lean on him when other avenues to solve their issues may have stalled,” he said.
Hartless said Jones’ passion for improving the quality of life of service members and their families is obvious.
“Having been a service member, Mr. Jones has experienced privatized housing challenges as both a housing resident and supervisor of personnel who struggled to navigate their own privatized housing issues,” he said.
Jones will work with the Military Housing Office staff, managed by the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron here on the Academy, and Hunt Companies, Inc., the managing owners of the base’s privatized housing.
“My duty is to uphold our strong partnership with the Hunt Companies so we have a cohesive and harmonious relationship in serving our community,” Jones said.
Jones’ position as housing resident advocate is the first of its type at the Academy, and comes after Congress signed the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights into law earlier this year to improve the quality of privatized housing across the U.S. military.
“The Department of the Air Force authorized additional manpower for government housing offices,” Hartless said. “With Mr. Jones on the team, residents will have another strong advocate for their safety and satisfaction.”
Jones said he would create a resident’s council to get direct feedback from residents to better support their concerns. The council will consist of volunteers and Military Housing Office representatives.
The 10th ABW is the Academy’s host unit and responsible for the installation’s infrastructure including its housing areas.
Visit www.airforceacademyhousing.com for more information.