FORT IRWIN, Calif.  — As the National Training Center continues to address any housing concerns during the nation-wide Army Housing Campaign, RCI/The Villages have recently introduced several, new features to its residents and they say more is on the way.

“Given the uniqueness and remoteness of our location, our ultimate focus is on increasing our residents’ overall reception value, while identifying and correcting deficiencies with increased veracity,” The Villages Marketing Manager, Cherry Langston said. “Our efforts have, and always will be, in recognition of the sacrifice each soldier and family make to facilitate Army Readiness while living here at the Villages.”

There will be another Housing Town Hall with the NTC Commanding Maj. Gen. Jeffery Broadwater and Garrison Commander, Col. Jeanette Martin on Sept. 24 at the Sandy Basin Community Center.

Leaders have taken action on resident’s feedback and are still working to make changes and upgrades. The Villages emails residents after work orders or move in, plus every 90-days to conduct an overall assessment of Michael’s Management. The surveys are monitored by property management and owners to identify and respond to issues more quickly and celebrate processes that are successful.

The Villages also added eight, additional positions, to include five maintenance and three Leasing slots, which also encompasses a Marketing Manager. Housing says the additional personnel have increased effectiveness in Leasing and inspections on the administrative side. They also say these positions mean oversight of their contracted maintenance personnel when turning homes for the next residents and has increased efficiency in that department.

Here are just a few amenities that residents are already seeing:

• Completed 623 HVAC replacements

• Completed more than 300 flooring upgrades

• Will complete 60 kitchen renovations

• Exterior, minor renovations in Calico Estates and Desert winds. 220 homes will be painted, garage doors replaced, openers installed, and new fencing will be put in new asphalt in Cracker Jack Flats

• Monthly Resident Events

Here are a few improvements planned for 2020 (pending budget approvals):

• 266 more HVAC replacements

• 360 more flooring upgrades

• 100 kitchen renovations

• New asphalt in Calico Estates

• 220 more exterior renovations, which will include window replacement (completing Calico Estates and start Sage Brush)

And here is a look at plans beyond 2020:

Exterior renovations will continue through 2024 to include all Legacy neighborhoods

Asphalt replacement neighborhood by neighborhood

Roof replacements in 2023

A new playground

RCI/The Villages also have a new app called Active Building, which is a key source of information and contact with the Housing office.

“We are consistently and more efficiently sharing information, events and programs through social media, email platform, and Active Building to reinforce the resident-centric culture we aim to cultivate,” Langston said. “We feel living in the Mojave Desert has its advantages and we want to embrace all the positive things offered here and beyond.”