AF-funded local moves for tenants affected by landlord foreclosures

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jeff Coleman
  • 3rd Wing Legal Office
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Recent economic conditions have resulted in record numbers of home foreclosures across the country. Some have negatively impacted Air Force members and their families, who through no fault of their own, have been forced to move because their landlords failed to keep up payments on residences that the members and their families have leased or rented.

Fortunately, as of July 30, the Department of Defense will now fund a local move if an Airman is forced to relocate due to foreclosure of rented or leased property.

Pursuant to a change to the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), an Airman who relocates, or whose dependants residing at an alternative place of residence relocate, from leased or rented housing, by reason of a foreclosure action against the landlord, is authorized a funded local move.

Before use of this authority, members should consult the legal assistance office to determine if other remedies are available under the Service Member's Civil Relief Act (SCRA). For a legal assistance appointment, call the 3rd Wing Legal Office at 552-3046.

Under the new provision, Airmen should apply for a local move from their installation military housing element office. The housing element assistance section will issue an AF Form 150, Drayage/Storage Authorization - Government Quarters, for authorizing the local move. The member should then provide this authorization to the supporting personal property shipping officer (PPSO) to schedule a move.

In order to obtain a local move authorization, the Airman must provide the housing element assistance section with a copy of his or her notice that they are being required to move by reason of foreclosure, and the landlord's notice of foreclosure.

If there are questions, the housing element assistance section will consult with the legal office to determine what documentation will suffice to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the Airman's move is required due to a foreclosure affecting the Airman's landlord.

Dependents of members who are deployed, on unaccompanied tours, or otherwise unavailable, who must move due to foreclosure, should also provide a power of attorney from the member confirming that the dependents is acting as an official representative of the member in requesting a funded move.

Local moves are not authorized if a member or dependent is the homeowner. Further, neither dislocation allowance nor temporary storage is authorized under this provision. The member's household goods PCS weight allowance will be authorized.

For more information, call the housing element office, 552-4328/4439.