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                         February 1, 2002

West Point's annual housing draw deadlines loom

Compiled by Jim Fox
Staff Writer

The U.S. Military Academy will hold its 2002 housing draw June 3 and 5 in Thayer Hall’s Robinson Auditorium with the Field grade draw June 3, 9 a.m. and the company grade draw June 5, 9 a.m.

Because West Point housing officials expect there to be a shortage of quarters, they are asking departments and activities to send information to them now about arrivals and departures of personnel from May 1 through August 31.

This information is required by Feb. 12 whether the information is complete or not, said Walter Perez, West Point housing division chief for the Directorate of Housing and Public Works.

He asked that submittals be forwarded in writing. Input may be submitted via e-mail to Angela Robinson at ya8559@usma.edu.

Perez said he expects there to be a 16-quarter shortage this summer for the draw.

"Sponsors have an extra responsibility to get the info to us quickly," Perez said, "so that we can work with the landlords on the economy to get these people housed.

"Also," he added, "transit housing is limited so if inbound folks can keep families stable at the losing location until they get housing here that would prevent the lodging woes."

Unaccompanied personnel will be contacted about quarters, Perez said.

"Due to the limited number of unaccompanied personnel housing units projected to be available this summer," Perez said, "the Housing Division will offer any available units to bonafide bachelors, that is those who collect without-dependent Basic Allowance for Quarters or Unaccompanied Key and Essential Personnel on June 4 by contacting each bachelor officer telephonically."

Inbound soldiers with medical requirements should submit a written request through their prospective chain of command to the Chief, Housing Division by April 9, Perez said.

Statements of Non-Availability will be provided to those officers that request them. Personnel interested in residing off-post are asked to submit their exceptions to policy through their prospective chain of command to the Chief, Housing Division by April 9.

"An accurate analysis will be made to determine the shortage of quarters so that activities may advise inbound personnel," Perez said. "Then plans can be made prior to their arrival for off-post living arrangements."

The Housing Division, Community Homefinding, Relocation and Referral Services Office, at (845) 938-6205, can assist personnel in securing off-post housing.

Inbound personnel "are cautioned," Perez said, "not to sign any rental agreements until they have been briefed by the CHRRS office."

The housing office said early termination inspections are required for all departing personnel clearing quarters. They must be scheduled and completed by March 29.

Outbound personnel are reminded, Perez said, that they are not required to have orders to schedule a pre-inspection.

Any update information regarding positioning on the selection list or available quarters will be posted in the Housing Division and on the DHPW bulletin board.

For more information contact Robinson by e-mail at ya8559@usma.edu or by phone at (845) 938-3942.