Creating the American Dream for Military Families at Altus AFB


ALTUS AFB - GMH Military Housing (GMH) was selected by the Air Force as the partner to privatize family housing at Altus Air Force Base. GMH will design, build, renovate, maintain and manage the homes, grounds and roads for the Altus AFB families.

The ultimate objective of GMH is to create a place where military members and their families of Altus AFB can truly call home and would wish to remain or return to throughout their military careers.

Feb. 1, 2007, will mark the beginning of a new life for the families of Altus AFB. Once the assumption of operations by GMH is completed, new and exciting changes will begin.

Residents will begin to see immediate improvements made to the existing homes and neighborhoods. GMH's plans include the construction of 158 new homes and the renovation of 385 homes.

The first step in making the vision a reality is with the signing of the lease agreement. The lease authorizes residents to live in a specific privatized military home in which the residents accept the responsibility of the home. Residents must sign the lease by Jan. 31, 2007, prior to living in privatized military housing. All current assignments to government quarters will be terminated on that date.

GMH held a Lease Signing Party, its own “Oklahoma Land Rush,” with wonderful results. More than 85 percent of the current residents attended, signed their lease and learned how to “stake their claim.” Col. Everhart led the way, the first to sign his lease, along with other top commanders.

“We are trying to make lease signing as easy as possible for the residents of Altus AFB”, said Terri Edelman, vice president of community management, GMH Military Housing.

Military members who still need to sign their lease can stop the GMH Community Management Office, located at 240A Cedar, or call 379-4002 to make an appointment. Military members will need to bring a copy of their LES. Resident specialists will be available to go over the lease and answer any questions. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 7 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.

“The GMH staff at Altus AFB is very enthusiastic, ready and proud to serve the families serving them,”Edelman said.