FORT HOOD, Texas – The 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command, in partnership with Centinel and Cavalry Family Housing, conducted a walking town hall through Heritage Heights neighborhood Sept. 10, communicating with soldiers and families to build trust, hear their housing concerns and connect residents with housing resources.
The event brought leaders face-to-face with residents, underscoring the Army’s commitment to improving quality of life and ensuring military families feel supported where they live.
Col. Pily Restrepo, deputy commanding officer for 13th ACSC, emphasized the importance of the event.
“It matters because we are showing soldiers and their families that we care about their way of living,” Restrepo said. “These visits ensure families know who to reach out to when they need support and that maintenance concerns are addressed quickly. Everywhere I went, families told me they felt taken care of, and that means we’re doing our job.”
For residents, the walking town hall was an opportunity to have direct conversations about housing, safety and resources. Calla Blaylock, a Heritage Heights resident and member of the Resident Advisory Board, said the event highlighted the value of living in the newly built neighborhood.
“Moving into a brand-new home has made such a difference in our quality of life,” Blaylock said. “I love my kitchen, I cook more, I decorate my yard more — it just feels like home. And when we’ve had issues, maintenance has been super responsive. Having leaders come out here shows us they really care.”
Leaders from Cavalry Family Housing, which manages the homes in partnership with Centinel, also stressed the importance of these neighborhood-level engagements.
“Walking town halls are one of the most effective ways to connect with our residents,” said Chris Albus, project director with Cavalry Family Housing. “They allow us to share information, gather feedback, and provide resources right in the neighborhoods where families live. When our team and Army partners stand side by side, it sends a clear message of empathy and commitment to our residents.”
“Hearing residents’ experiences firsthand helps us understand what’s working well and where we can continue to improve,” said Gretchen Turpen, executive vice president with Centinel. These conversations remind us why our mission matters, and we’re proud to continue building strong partnerships that support military families.”
The walking town hall also served as an extension of the Army’s Sponsoring Unit Program, which connects units with housing areas across Fort Hood. By engaging at the neighborhood level, leaders demonstrated their dedication to soldier and family readiness beyond the workplace.
As the sun set on Heritage Heights, residents left the event with handouts detailing key resources, and leaders left with fresh insight into what matters most to the families they serve.
“Our soldiers and families deserve the best living conditions we can provide,” said Restrepo. These events prove that together — with our partners and with our residents — we are committed to making life better for Army families.”
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