JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The FY20 National Defense Authorization Act mandated that every military installation with privatized housing create a Resident Advocate position to work on behalf of the residents. The newly created Privatized Housing Resident Advocate (RA) role serves to assist residents in the identification and resolution of privatized housing challenges. Resident Advocates report directly to the installation's Wing Commander, advocate for housing residents and advise senior staff and leadership across the Wing. They are key advisors to Wing leadership and are responsible for crafting and leading the strategy for, and execution of critical advocacy services on behalf of military members and their families. Resident Advocates focus on maximizing mission readiness by driving a culture which ensures military members, and their families live in safe, healthy, secure privatized housing residences.
“There are residents out there that need assistance on how to address certain housing-related situations, whether they pertain to safety concerns or policy changes. We do not want to make residents feel that they are living beneath their standards,” said Mr. Cassidy “This is where Resident Advocates come in. We want to provide residents with helpful information that will educate them to exercise their residential rights. We do not want people suffering in silence.”
Acting as the middleman, Mr. Cassidy communicates with residents, the Wing commander, and military housing organizations, like the United Communities, on implementing new ways to improve living standards on Joint Base MDL. Mr. Cassidy sees this approach as “expectation management,” while he continues to maintain positive relationships within these groups.
To effectively engage residents and provide them with a unified voice, the RA is tasked with establishing and maintaining Resident Councils for each neighborhood. The council serves as a forum for military families to discuss concerns and improvement opportunities while maintaining positive interaction with United Communities and Wing Leadership.
If you want to learn more about the Privatized Housing Resident Advocate and become a member of the Resident Council, then please call Mr. Anthony “Tony” Cassidy at (609) 754-3431 or email at anthony.cassidy.1@us.af.mil.
As your Resident Advocate, it is my goal to build a strong relationship with the residents I serve and work closely with our Privatized Housing partners to make your living experience a safe, happy, and healthy environment at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst the absolute best.