Housing Shortage: what you should know

  • Published
  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs

On a small island like Okinawa, preserving natural resources such as water is a top priority. However, water can also be a damaging element, when coupled with high levels of humidity and consistent rain, to an aging infrastructure in one of the most corrosive environments in the world.

As the largest civil engineer unit in the Air Force, the18th Civil Engineer Group is tasked with ensuring sustainable infrastructure in support of a base worth $39 billion, while simultaneously supporting a population of 35,000 from five service components, ten major commands and other units assigned to or transiting through Kadena.

The CEG supports over 15,000 active-duty, joint personnel across Okinawa for all DoD services by maintaining 7,600 homes on base and 10,000 homes off-base with approximately 600 U.S. Civilian and Master Labor Contractor personnel.

To realign United States Marine Corps personnel and resources to meet future Force Design requirements, the Special Action Committee Okinawa (SACO) initiative was developed as a, multi-year $2 billon dollar construction program to update infrastructure, mission capable facilities, and new long-term housing, which aligns with modern standards and primarily focuses on USMC Camps.

A U.S.-funded military construction project recently completed in Spring 2024 included 100 newly renovated Company Grade Officer and Field Grade Officer homes in Sebille Manor on Kadena with residents moving into the homes in July.

However, Kadena civil engineers identified a flaw that is causing excess moisture buildup, leading to increased risk for the development of mold within the homes. Current timeline for repairs is still pending contractor review.

Several impacted families have been moved to other on-base residences or been offered off-base approvals. However, the overflow has constrained homes available for service members in other rank brackets. Kadena Engineers are developing redesignation plans for Military Family Housing units to reduce the shortage of inventory in those rank categories.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

  • Underinvestment has resulted in over 43% of Okinawa military family housing units requiring major repair and or renovations to bring these units to current Air Force Standards
  • The average age of MFH units across Okinawa is 41 years in age; however, the average age of a home in Sebille Manor is 55 years old.
  • 74% of the FGO homes on Kadena are 70 years of age or older.
  • A multi-year construction program prioritized and focused on junior enlisted housing projects first

FUTURE RESIDENTS:

  • Due to ongoing issues, assignment of government housing may exceed the normal 10-day window for assignment to MFH
  • Current mandatory policy requires authorized inbound personnel to reside on-base, however if sufficient inventory is unavailable, they will be authorized to reside in the local community
  • Inbound service members must provide the following: DD Form 1746, AF 4422, flight itinerary , area clearance for dependents, and PCS orders to Kadenahousing.customerservice@us.af.mil to begin the process prior to arrival

CURRENT RESIDENTS:

  • If current residents are required to relocate, the member may elect to move off-base at government expense
  • Members seeking reassignment from a housing area that is short on inventory for personal convenience may also move off-base at personal expense
  • Residents are encouraged to report any damage to base facilities by calling 634-HOME (4663)

To report damage that has not yet been serviced, please contact 634-HOME (4663) or email photos of damage to 718ces.servicecall@us.af.mil.

The Kadena Housing office will make every effort to assign government quarters to families that meet their needs and entitlements but ask for patience and understanding.