Fort Gordon has been ahead of other installations in helping Soldiers through the housing crisis.

“We’ve been very proactive and on the forefront since early last year,” said Mary Scott, housing program manager, who has implemented several strategies to help Soldiers and their Families and is now serving on a committee at the Department of the Army level to help other installations.

Over the past few months, the housing office has developed partnerships with community agencies as well as organized numerous information seminars on subjects such as avoiding foreclosure, home buying and the Homeowners Assistance Program.

In the current housing market, it has been difficult for some Soldiers to sell property after they’ve moved to another installation. This causes an additional burden for Soldiers and their Families.

She recently advised a Soldier who hadn’t paid the mortgage for many months.

“If you don’t call, you don’t get the help you need,” she said.

And in this economic climate, she said, there is no shame in asking for help. Scott is building a network of local resources to help Soldiers and their Families.

She’s also begun working with Soldiers a little more in-depth who are out-processing to give them practical and unbiased tips in their housing needs.

“Many times when they are in-processing, they’ve already bought a home,” she said.

However, when Soldiers are out-processing, they are thinking ahead to their next position, but they haven’t made their final decisions.

“I show them how much house their BAH can buy. I also tell them the amount of money they should put aside for maintenance. Home repairs will come. They need to account for that,” she said.

Sometimes, she even pulls up web sites of homes in the area to which they will be moving to give them an idea of what’s available. She said often Soldiers only have a real estate agent to rely upon in the home purchasing decision. As an impartial third party, Scott hopes to provide them with realistic information to help them stay within their means.

Ideally, Scott would like to be able to reach Soldiers before they come to Fort Gordon.

Another step is the monthly housing training meeting at 2 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Olmstead Hall. It provides purchase information as well as “renters 101.” The next meeting is Nov. 17.

With Soldiers moving several times during their careers, home buying may be a regular part of their lifestyle. Scott said the seminars will provide information that can be used over and over again.

To find out more call the housing office at (706) 791-9658.