Fort Carson addresses housing problems happening on post
About 10,000 Fort Carson soldiers and their families live on post. According to a recent survey, many are not happy with their living situations.
Mold, rodent infestations, filthy homes and maintenance repairs are the top complaints from those living at Fort Carson.
When SSgt. Scott Evans and his family moved into their home, it didn’t take long for him and his wife to notice something wrong with their floor.
“When they were going ahead to replace it and double check and do what they needed to do,” Serena Evans says, “Unfortunately they found some mold.”
While the repairs were made, they had to move to another house. Then when they returned a month later, the problem still wasn’t solved.
Evans says, “Unfortunately we just still didn’t feel safe there was still moisture readings.”
For Master Sgt. Melinda Thai, water was seeping up through the ground caused by a broken pipe. She says it took two months for a crew to come out and make repairs.
“There were communication issues sometimes crews would come to the house and they didn’t have the proper experience,” Thai says.
They aren’t the only ones having these problems. According to a survey conducted by the Military Family Advisory Network, more than half of 147 residents who participated in the survey at Fort Carson have experienced similar problems. That 147 residents represent less than 2% of the 10,000 on post residents.
Housing issues are supposed to be handled by Balfour Beatty, who was contracted by the military. Think of them as the landlords.
Garrison Commander at Fort Carson Colonel Brian Wortinger says they made it clear to that company that they are not happy.
“The secretary of the Army, the chief of staff of the Army, and the sergeant major of the Army met with senior housing officials through a variety of mediums to let them know that you are failing at your job and you need to do better.”
Colonel Wortinger says Balfour Beatty has increased staffing dramatically, adding more subcontractor workers, hired two resident engagement specialists, two quality control supervisors, and one communication specialist. They also now have an app that tracks work orders.
The Mountain Post is also getting more involved. They will now follow up on all filed work orders and turnovers from residents.
“We absolutely owe our service members and their families the absolute best quality housing that we can provide,” Wortinger says.
But what happens if our military families are still unhappy and things don’t get better? Wortinger says it will be up to Washington, not Fort Carson, to make the decision on what happens next.
