Open house in Bayridge Monday <br>Keesler has abundant housing Published March 10, 2010 By Angela Cutrer Keesler News staff KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- Permanent change of station moves usually occur about the time school gets out. Check your calendar and you'll see that time is ticking away to get packing. For military families headed to Keesler, they won't have far to look. Keesler has on site the largest military family housing project in Air Force history. To get a glimpse at Keesler's family housing, there's an open house at 9 a.m. Monday at 208 Patrick Drive in the Bayridge housing area. It's being held in conjunction with delivery of keys for the last house completed and a Year of the Air Force Family celebration, according to Brian Drake, 81st Infrastructure Support Division director. "If you reside on base or reside off base and would like to see what Keesler has to offer to eligible personnel, please come out to help celebrate this milestone and tour the home. We have plenty of new homes available for those desiring to reside in family housing." "We currently have more than 150 vacant homes available," said Brett Long, housing flight chief. "In addition, we have vacant Sandhill homes 23 miles from the base in Gautier at Exit 57 off I-10. Amenities include three- and four-bedroom homes with carpet, ceiling fans, a garage, fenced yards, stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal, dishwasher and hookups for a washer and dryer." The main reason for the acceleration of inventory came from the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster. "Keesler military family housing was heavily damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Katrina," said Mr. Drake. "A $287 million project was awarded to Hunt-Yates to build 1,028 new homes. In addition, it's also the largest Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design project in the nation." To gain LEED certification, homes must meet a minimum level of performance in categories of sustainable sites, locations and linkages, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, awareness and education, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality. The level of performance is indicated by four performance tiers -- certified, silver, gold and platinum. Keesler now has more than 700 units with a silver certification, making it the largest LEED for Homes certified project in the country. "LEED encourages sustainable green building and development," said the LEED Web site. "LEED buildings cost less to operate and maintain, are energy and water efficient, and will reduce dependence on foreign oil. A green home incorporates smart design, technology, construction and maintenance elements to significantly lessen the negative impact of the home on the environment and improve the health of the people who live inside." For more information, visit the housing office, Room 118, Sablich Center, or call 376-8611.