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Housing officials remind residents of guidelines

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams
  • Internal Information NCO in charge
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Base housing officials are reminding residents to maintain their yards, sidewalks, driveways and streets as outlined in the housing brochures they receive when they sign for the house.

"Most yards, driveways and sidewalks are being held up to standards," said Norma Crosby, 20th Civil Engineer housing manager. "However, some are not and we're trying to get them back up to standards. We need residents to comply with guidelines outlined in the housing brochure."

The housing guidelines are briefed when residents sign for a house and again when they move into the house. Inspections are conducted every Tuesday morning, and when a resident initially checks into a house or when they move out.

"We inspect shrubbery, carports and front yards," said Cindy Tickel, 20th CES housing inspector. "Our focus of inspections depends on the season. Right now, the emphasis is on fallen leaves."

During the spring and summer months, inspectors ensure lawns are mowed, sidewalks and driveways are edged and grass and weeds are not growing from cracks in the sidewalks. They also ensure residents are keeping shrubs and bushes trimmed.

The inspection focus may be seasonal, but that will not stop a resident from being written up for having bushes that are too tall in the winter, said Mrs. Tickel. Guidelines are expected to be followed throughout the year no matter the season.

On average, about 50 write-ups a week are handed out.

"We appreciate all the people working together to make Shaw look good," said Mrs. Crosby. "We love it when the residents show a sense of pride and ownership."

"Military family housing at Shaw is a critical aspect of our military family quality of life. While we are working to improve those units on a large scale effort through privatization, keeping what we have as nice as possible requires some effort on the part of the occupants," said Chris Aamold, 20th CES deputy commander.

"With more than 600 vacant units, it is challenging to maintain the neighborhoods to an acceptable standard," he said. "The Air Force spent $300,000 last year to keep the grass cut and edged on a biweekly and monthly basis."

But funds are limited, Mr. Aamold said, which is why residents are asked to do their part.

For more information, residents should refer to their housing brochure or call the housing office at 895-2422.