FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- For those choosing to rent a residence off post, one program is helping to bridge the gap and build better relationships between Soldiers and landlords.
The Department of Defense Automated Housing Referral Network, or AHRN, is designed to improve the process of securing available housing for relocating military members and their Families.
"It's a great program," said Trin-idad Cruz, housing inspector for Fort Drum Army Community Housing.
AHRN, which launched in 2004 at www.AHRN.com, is a comprehensive web-based system that connects landlords with service members and their Families.
"(We want) to get the word (about AHRN) out to the Soldiers so they're aware of what's available to them and how the program works," explained Cruz, a former military member who said he relates to today's Soldiers because he experienced similar tribulations when he moved with the Army.
"Soldiers who are (moving) to Fort Drum, or are currently on Fort Drum, can go to the (AHRN) website and see what is available as far as housing on the economy," Cruz said.
The program -- which has a presence worldwide on 25 installations, across all branches of ser- vice -- is "about making sure the Soldiers are being taken care of," Cruz explained.
One appealing aspect of AHRN is that it enables deployed Soldiers to contact Army Community Housing staff to ensure a rental unit will be available for them when they redeploy.
In addition, Army Community Housing staff members, who personally inspect each listing before it can be listed on the website, must abide by government inspection standards while inspecting a property -- standards that are usually held to a high esteem, Cruz noted.
"(AHRN) gives (Soldiers) a safe zone, knowing that a government representative inspected the property and (it's) a safe and healthy environment for the Soldier to live in," he added.
Properties are inspected annually, with inspectors paying close attention to fireplaces, woodstoves and wells.
"(The program) saves time and expense (for) the Soldier," Cruz explained. "Ultimately, it also allows Soldiers to focus on their job and taking care of their Family."
Adding to the convenience factor was the recent launch of a mobile site, www.ahrn.com/mobile. The site allows service members to manage their account; view listings, photos, maps and housing office contact information; and check the user's AHRN message center. Users also can access a geo-location search option that displays listings near their current location.
Cruz noted that many times landlords prefer to rent to Soldiers and their Families, because they want to help out the military community.
Dave Spilman, a landlord who rents out four apartments in Gouverneur, began working with Fort Drum Army Community Housing personnel through the AHRN last fall.
Spilman said he decided to list his property with the AHRN because he knew he would receive immediate assistance from the staff, and he wanted to help out military members.
"(The AHRN) is a great, streamlined system, and the staff (members) were helpful," Spilman explained, noting all of his apartments were rented within 10 days of listing them through the AHRN.
Army Community Housing staff members also work with local hotels and motels to arrange for Soldiers and Families to be accom- modated as extended-stay residents.
For more information about AHRN, visit www.AHRN.com; stop by the Army Community Housing office in Clark Hall, room A2-54; or call Cruz at 772-8542.
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