Housing advocate appointed

  • Published
  • By Lauren Russell
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base leaders have appointed a new resident advocate to ensure on-base residents receive fair and quality treatment from Air Force partners that operate and maintain privatized housing.

LauraLee Morris, the installation privatized housing advocate, took over as the liaison between Hanscom housing residents, the Military Housing Office, the housing project owner, and the installation commander earlier this month.

“My goal is to help rebuild the relationship and trust between our members and the privatized housing program through transparent communication,” said Morris. “I want to stay grounded to the needs of our servicemen and women and their families while we maintain focus on the bigger picture.”

As an advocate, Morris will offer a vital resource for active duty members should the need arise, providing appropriate resolution or preventing unnecessary escalation of a concern from a base resident.

She serves as an additional point of contact for active duty Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard residents, as well as National Guard and Reserve members while on active duty orders. All other eligible tenants, including federal civilians and retirees, can contact Morris or the 66th Air Base Group Staff Judge Advocate.

The Air Force Military Housing Office, part of the 66th Civil Engineering Division, remains the first point of contact for all housing residents to address questions or concerns about Hanscom Family Housing and Hunt, the privatized housing owner.

Morris said she wants to be the “boots on the ground,” and the philosophy underlying her approach includes her three P’s: passion, personality and people.

“I always factor in the human cost,” she said. “Sometimes we get hung up on the mission and lose sight of the impact on the organization, personnel and their families. I want to shift the focus back to our people.”  

Having grown up in military housing, Morris said she understands that while military housing may be temporary, it’s an emotional piece for military and federal families. 

“I’m available 24/7; there’s no question too big or too small,” she said.  “Sometimes, the answer is just having someone who’s willing to listen and view your home from your point of view.”

Morris said residents will have an opportunity to candidly voice their opinions and concerns with privatized housing via the Department of Defense Tenant Satisfaction Survey beginning Dec. 8. The survey will be made available through an email link to all residents.

To learn more about Hanscom Family Housing and the privatized housing resident advocate, visit www.Hanscom.af.mil/About-Us/Hanscom-Family-Housing/.

Residents can contact Morris at Laura.Morris.3@us.af.mil.