Keesler leadership hosts family housing open house

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Suzie Plotnikov
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs

Keesler Air Force Base leadership came together at the Bay Breeze Event Center for the Keesler Housing Review Open House from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Feb. 25.

Keesler created the forum to give military members and their spouses a chance to voice their housing concerns and provide possible solutions.

“Leadership felt like they needed a venue to be able to have face-to-face conversations with housing members in a neutral setting that was conducive to families to come with their kids and share their information,” said Jackie Pope, 81st Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center chief.

Representatives from different groups on base are consolidating information they received during the open house and will provide it to wing leadership to ensure all voiced concerns are heard, said Maj. Amber Ortiz, 81st Force Support Squadron commander.

“Each of the training wing groups and wing staff agencies are represented here,” said Ortiz. “We have first sergeants, superintendents as well as some commanders that can privately talk to individuals.”

The open house also contained booths from helping agencies such as FOCUS and child care to address family concerns, public health and bioenvironmental specialists to answer questions about health and wellness, and the government representative for family housing.

Residents are also given the opportunity to have leadership come to their home for a checklist inspection and to take photos of anything that is a concern.

“The leadership here at Keesler are very glad for the opportunity to correspond with our active members and their spouses,” said Ortiz. “We understand it’s complicated and somewhat confusing to know who to go to because it is privatized [housing], but we have the interest of our Airmen and our sister services and their families as our highest priority. We want to know when they’re struggling to have things taken care of.”

The next open house will take place Feb. 26 from 4-7 p.m. at the Bay Breeze Event Center.