USAG Japan holds housing town hall to share updates, listen to residents

CAMP ZAMA, Japan - U.S. Army Garrison Japan leaders hosted a housing town hall to share the latest updates and hear questions from residents inside Kizuna Hall here Thursday.

Col. Marcus Hunter, garrison commander, began the forum by highlighting Army Secretary Christine E. Wormuth's recent visit to Japan, who is a strong proponent for safe and quality Army housing and barracks.

"I will say Army family housing, barracks and how our families and our communities live is extremely important, obviously to us who live in those facilities but for our Army leadership as well," Hunter said. "And they're committed to dedicating the resources needed to maintain and ensure a good quality of life."

Hunter, who was joined by Command Sgt. Maj. David A. Rio, garrison senior enlisted leader, answered questions ranging from housing renovations, disaster preparedness and a new pet policy during the hourlong meeting.

"This is an opportunity where your feedback… is very important and has direct correlation to what we can affect," he said.

Perry Cannon, chief of the Housing Office's Housing Operations Branch, first discussed some ongoing renovations at Camp Zama and Sagamihara Family Housing Area.

Among them, Cannon said a playground at Camp Zama's Kite Peak neighborhood was recently renovated, while the first of five fourplex buildings being renovated will be available soon after the parking area and street are redone.

The Crane Acres neighborhood also has 20 whole house renovations slated to be completed in March and next summer.

At SFHA, roof repairs on several buildings will all be completed by November, as well as two playgrounds that are being renovated, he said.

For maintenance service requests at on-post housing, Cannon said residents can go to www.ArmyMaintenance.com or call the Directorate of Public Works service order desk at DSN 263-4274/4613. Dial "046-407" and the last four digits if calling from a cellphone.

"Please register for your [Army maintenance application] account," he said. "It's the easiest way to submit a service request to the DPW service desk."

With September being National Preparedness Month, Cannon reminded residents to have an emergency plan in place, to build a kit and to stay informed on potential disaster situations.

Hunter later told audience members that the garrison has several measures in place to prepare for and handle disaster scenarios.

In July, for instance, garrison personnel tested the energy resilience of the entire installation by having backup systems kick in during a power outage drill.

Earlier this month, after the Japan Meteorological Agency released a "Mega Earthquake Caution" following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in southwestern Japan, garrison leaders also quickly pushed out information and safety tips to community members.

Another smaller earthquake then hit the local area a few days later, causing gas lines to temporarily go offline at SFHA. The incident tested installation emergency response procedures as DPW crews responded and worked with Tokyo Gas to restore the service.

"There are a lot of different ways in which we are testing our resiliency," Hunter said. "I can't emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to be ready."

With many homes slated to be renovated in the coming years, Rio said the garrison will strive to inform current residents if they need to move out well ahead of the Army's 30-day notice requirement.

"It is our goal to give [notice] as soon as we know," he said.

If other on-post housing is not available, the Housing Office here will help identify suitable off-post housing options and move residents at the Army's expense if the move is a qualifying Army-directed move.

Hunter also mentioned a new pet policy that now allows pets in both of Camp Zama's housing towers.

A significant change will permit up to two dogs, cats or a combination of both in residences on the first three floors of Bldg. 1050, and up to two cats in residences on all floors of Bldgs. 1050 and 743.

"Part of that thinking was we would start it in one tower," Hunter said of the dog rule, "and if it goes well, we may expand it to both towers."

The policy also updates and clarifies rules, including potential disciplinary actions for violators, while consolidating other pet-related regulations into one document.

In closing, Rio thanked all the residents who attended the meeting and for sharing their concerns, adding that input in previous town halls has resulted in improvements that are seen in housing today.

"Feedback is always, always helpful," he said, "so we really appreciate you taking time out of your day to come and really help us in providing quality housing."

Related links:

U.S. Army Garrison Japan news

USAG Japan official website

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