(From 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs)

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – Belfour Beatty Communities (BBC) has been selected as the highest ranking offeror for the Air Force’s Northern Group Housing Privatization Project.

The deal, valued at $470 million in development costs, provides new and renovated housing for 4,761 military families at six bases.  As part of the project, 677 new homes will be built at Cannon and 361 existing homes in Chavez West will be renovated. In order to generate space for the new units, 401 homes will be demolished in Joe Cannon housing and Chavez Manor. Ultimately, the project end-state will result in a total of 1,038 homes in Joe Cannon Estates and Chavez housing area.

Housing Privatization will provide Cannon's Air Commandos with access to safe, quality, affordable housing in a military community.  As part of the deal, Cannon families can look forward to a 5,000-square-foot community center with swimming pool in the Chavez housing area, neighborhood center with splash-park in the Joe Cannon Estates housing area, new playgrounds, volley ball courts, lighted tennis courts, and walking trails.

All of the 677 new homes will have 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2-car garages and at least 1,680 square feet of living space.  Construction is scheduled to be completed by spring 2015.  A series of town hall meetings will be scheduled over the next several months to explain these changes and housing options to base residents.

The Northern Group Project includes housing at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Cavalier Air Force Station, N.D., Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. 

BBC has extensive experience with housing privatization and has been awarded numerous U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy projects.

In 1996, Congress created the Military Housing Privatization Initiative as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.  The goal was to provide military members with quality homes faster than through military construction (MILCON) alone.  For general information regarding the Air Force Housing Privatization program, please visit: www.afcee.af.mil/resources/housingprivatization/index.asp.

Please call 27 SOW Public Affairs at 575-784-4131 or visit www.cannon.af.mil for questions and additional updates on Cannon’s transition to privatized housing.  You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/27thSpecialOperationsWing  and Twitter at twitter.com/CANNON_AFB_NM.