FORT EISENHOWER, Ga. – United States Army Garrison Fort Eisenhower hosted a housing symposium Sept. 10 aimed at educating off-post property managers and easing the stress of relocation for service members.
The event, organized by Fort Eisenhower’s Housing Office in collaboration with the Legal Assistance Office and the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence G1 team, brought together leasing professionals from local agencies at Darling Hall to discuss key issues affecting service members and Families living off-post.
The symposium covered essential topics, including the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and handling permanent change of station (PCS) orders—both critical for service members navigating housing challenges during relocation.
“One of the main challenges arises when property managers are unfamiliar with military procedures and the laws that protect service members,” said Kimberly Gillespie, housing manager, USAG Housing Team at Fort Eisenhower.
“Many leasing professionals do not know how to interpret official paperwork when a service member submits orders with a notice to vacate for PCS in accordance with the SCRA,” Gillespie added. “This lack of understanding often results in property managers charging Soldiers early termination fees for breaking their lease.”
These situations can escalate into landlord-tenant disputes, adding emotional and financial stress for service members and Families. Such disputes often reach the Housing Office for resolution, which can further burden individuals already managing relocation logistics and new duty assignments.
To address this issue, Tiffany Howell, chief, Legal Assistance Office at Fort Eisenhower, provided attendees with an in-depth explanation of service members' rights under the SCRA. This federal law allows service members to terminate leases without penalty if they receive PCS orders or deployment orders for at least a period of 90 days. It ensures they can vacate rented properties without incurring early termination fees—a protection often misunderstood by property managers.
The symposium also served as a platform to strengthen communication between Fort Eisenhower and the local community, fostering mutual understanding and support for service members and Families.
Courtney Murrah, president of the Apartment Association of Greater Augusta, said she left the symposium feeling much more informed. “We try to go over this topic during association meetings but hearing it from the service member’s perspective is so different,” Murrah said. “We usually get a brief from our lawyer’s side, but it’s great to hear from the other side as well.”
This collaboration is critical in reducing misunderstandings and ensuring smoother transitions for service members. Fort Eisenhower representatives emphasized the importance of ongoing education and cooperation between military offices and local leasing agencies to prevent common issues and improve the quality of life for service members and Families.
The symposium also included hands-on training for HOMES.mil account registration, led by the Housing Service Office (HSO). HOMES.mil is a DoD housing referral website that helps service members, Families, and DOD Civilians find community housing near military installations. It allows HSO staff, landlords, and property managers to manage and share rental property information.
This housing symposium is part of Fort Eisenhower’s broader effort to create a more informed community of property managers equipped to meet the needs of service members. Organizers hope the information shared will lead to fewer disputes and a smoother housing experience, especially during times of relocation.
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