JANUARY 10, 2022 — The annual Army Family Housing Tenant Satisfaction Survey kicks off Tuesday and Baumholder Military Community leadership is counting on this year’s poll to bring even more feedback than last year’s.
“We are listening. Because of last year’s results, the Baumholder Military Community took swift action to address concerns about parking, renovations and landscape beautification,” said deputy garrison manager Jae Kim.
According to BMC Housing Chief Harald Kastner, residents can expect to receive the link to the survey via their email addresses on file with the housing office; therefore, he said, residents need to ensure that they have access to those accounts. Residents can contact the housing office to update their information. He said the surveys are compatible on smartphones, tablets and computers.
Kastner said that residents will receive a unique survey code and ensured residents have anonymity. He added that residents should not share their code; it’s unique to one user.
“We can only see from which neighborhood the survey participated,” said Kastner.
Parking, especially at Smith Barracks, is an issue that has been mentioned both in previous surveys and at BMC housing town halls.
In response, the Department of Public Works team repainted spaces to create more spots and started an enforceable parking permit system for Smith Barracks residents, according to Kastner.
Additionally, Baumholder is planning a full-scale beautification project and, according to Kastner, contracted custodial services for stairway housing are in the works.
“We’re working diligently to make the BMC housing areas look better than ever,” said Kim. “Baumholder is already a beautiful place but we want to make our residential areas the gem of the region.”
According to Kim, survey feedback also shapes the future of Army housing. In-unit improvements such as washer and dryers have already been implemented and the rolling shutters and balconies are projected to arrive in the next two years. Additional town houses and new schools are planned for the Wetzel housing area in three to five years, said Kim.
“We fought and won the authorization for tenants to use their own air conditioning units,” said Kim. “Residents will eventually get the best of both worlds – the cooling effect of German rolladens and the comfort of home with AC.”
Government contracts and renovations are not a quick process, said Kastner. Current residents may not get instant gratification from 2022 survey results but they now are reaping the rewards of surveys past.
“Current residents may not get to see these changes but actions they take now will be appreciated by Soldiers and their families to come,” said Kastner.
Kastner said this year’s survey questions are similar to 2021’s questionnaire and that residents can anticipate questions about:
- Visual appeal of the community.
- Outdoor safety and amenities such as parking, sidewalks, parks.
- Timeliness and service of maintenance requests and repairs.
- Customer service of housing office.
“Each and every one of our residents can make a difference. Small things can have big and lasting impressions,” said Kastner. “If our residents let us know what could make their live easier and if it is doable we will make or acquire those changes.”
CEL & Associates will email the survey to the main leaseholder’s email address on January 11, 2022. Tenants are encouraged to complete the survey in full and provide written comments outlining their overall experiences with their current housing assignment and the property management company. It is intended to seek feedback on the housing experience, rather than the resident’s overall evaluation of Garrison or the general locale. All comments are anonymous unless a tenant requests a direct response from the Army Housing Office. Any tenant residing in the home prior to December 8th, 2021 will be eligible to complete the survey.
“All surveys are confidential. Your frank feedback about your experiences in Army Family Housing may help to shape future housing programs and services and help guide future decisions that could impact generations of Soldiers and Families,” said Lt. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, Installation Management Command Commander in late 2020. The Army wants maximum outreach and participation to measure residents’ satisfaction with housing accommodations, as well as the services they received from the Army Housing Office.
By Nicole Alberico