Privatized Housing
Unaccompanied Housing
Community Housing
Links & Docs
Ellsworth AFB military family housing is privatized and is owned and operated by Balfour Beatty Communities (BBC). This is an option for members with dependents to consider while transitioning to Ellsworth AFB. For comprehensive information about the privatized housing community at Ellsworth AFB, visit the BBC website at www.ellsworthafbhomes.com, which provides information about the homes and amenities available in the privatized housing community.
Contact the Military Housing Office (MHO) as soon as you know you are moving to Ellsworth AFB. The MHO will provide the latest information about privatized housing, details about the application process, and base specific policies regarding residing in privatized housing. Once the MHO receives your completed application packet, including Assignment Orders to Ellsworth AFB, you will be referred over to Ellsworth AFB Homes/Balfour Beatty Communities to be added to their waitlist. Note: Wait times vary between category and size of home. In order for the MHO to complete your referral application to be added to the base housing waiting list, please provide the following documents:
For updates to your change in duty station or arrival date to Ellsworth AFB, questions on projected wait times, or the privatized units; please contact Ellsworth AFB homes at 605-923-9000.
Privatized housing is comparable to housing in the local community and provides a wide variety of amenities and support services. Some of the community features include basketball courts, playgrounds and a Community Center. As a resident of privatized housing, contact the Property Management Office to obtain more specific information on the services available at your location.
Similar to living in the local community, a one-year term tenant lease agreement will be signed. The privatized housing lease includes a military clause and a lease termination clause. Monthly rent is paid by authorizing an allotment of BAH that is paid directly to the Project Owner. If a move occurs prior to the allotment start date, a pro-rated rent amount is owed directly to the Project Owner. The Tenant Lease Agreement spells out all relevant rent payment terms and conditions.
Ellsworth AFB privatized housing is not currently metered, the rent will include utility costs up to the full BAH amount. For more information about utilities, please contact the Property Management Office.
At Ellsworth AFB we strive to create an inclusive environment that cultivates the development and training of Airmen. The Air Force recognizes that the management of Unaccompanied Housing (UH) facilities is critical to an Airman's development process. UH is a personal residence and we strive to provide a modern, functional, well maintained and comfortable home, as well as promote pride, professionalism and personal dignity. UH is provided for unaccompanied Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than 3 years of service. Each Airman is provided a private sleeping room, furnishings, bed linens and supplies required for comfortable living. (Room arrangements may vary depending on location) Unaccompanied Airmen in the rank of E-4 with greater than 3 years of service and above will move into housing in the local community. Please refer to the Housing in the Local Community section for information and assistance on securing housing. The permanent party UH campus at Ellsworth AFB consists of nine dormitories ranging from 40 to 125 rooms in each building.
Amenities include a "Higher Grounds," Airmen Ministry Center, which includes a full kitchen, coffee bar, free Wi-Fi, computer workstations, movie screen with a wide selection of movies, three flat screen televisions, video game systems, and regular activities for the spiritual and social fitness of single Airmen. "Higher Grounds" is managed and maintained by the Chapel and Airmen volunteers. Ellsworth AFB prohibits any firearms, ammunition, bows, arrows, crossbows, swords, throwing stars and fighting knives in dorm rooms.
During your orientation, the ADL or UH Management Office representative will inform you of all Air Force and base-specific policies. AFI-32-6000, Housing Management - prescribes policy at Air force installations.
The UH Management Office is staffed with professionals that can assist with all of your housing needs. Staff may vary but can be comprised of non-commissioned officers (NCO), Senior NCOs and some bases have civilian employees. The assigned military are Airman Dormitory Leaders (ADLs). ADLs are highly motivated personnel dedicated to ensuring that residents receive quality service. ADLs will provide you guidance and advice on UH life as well as mentor you on succeeding in the Air Force.
As soon as you are notified of your assignment, contact your gaining unit and request to be assigned a sponsor. Your sponsor will be another military member assigned to your unit and will assist with your move. The sponsor or gaining unit must then contact the UH Management Office to notify them of your impending arrival date and work to secure you a dormitory room. Your sponsor will need to send your name, rank, date of rank, first day of military service date, DoD ID, gender, cell phone, duty phone, and arrival date to the ADL organization email box, 28 BW Airman Dorm Leader. 28BW.CEIHD.AirmenDormLeaders@us.af.mil
In most cases, you will be assigned a room in an area of the dormitory set aside for the personnel who work in your unit. This is to promote camaraderie among squadron members. If a room is not available near other members of your unit, you may be assigned a temporary room until one with your unit becomes available.
Prior to travel, arrange to meet your sponsor or someone from your unit upon arrival at the gaining installation. If you arrive on a business day during normal duty hours, have your sponsor escort you to the UH Management Office. An ADL will take you through the process of checking you into your room and performing a move-in inspection and inventory of the allotted furnishings and supplies. If you arrive on the weekend or after normal duty hours, have your sponsor make arrangements to pick up your room key from the UH Management Office or acquire a hospitality room for you until you can meet with an ADL. If you arrive unexpectedly, your sponsor will contact the on-call ADL at 605-391-3359 to gain access to a temporary hospitality room in the Rushmore Dormitory, Bldg. 5806. If you obtain your room key outside of normal duty hours or arrive unexpectedly, it is a mandatory requirement to report to the UH Management Office the next duty day for in-processing.
You will be expected to keep your room and any shared living space clean and tidy. Cleaning supplies and equipment can be provided to you free of charge. You will also be accountable for your room and the furnishings provided. Residents may be held liable for any damages beyond normal fair wear and tear. See your ADL if you have any questions about your resident responsibilities.
The Installation Commander establishes a base-wide UH inspection program focused on health and safety. Squadron Commanders and First Sergeants implement the inspection program and visit rooms to ensure that all residents from their squadron comply with installation standards.
UH residents are expected to assist in the cleaning and upkeep of common areas and shared facilities of their "home”. You will periodically be detailed to perform essential cleaning and minor maintenance around the UH campus.
The Airmen Dormitory Council is the forum by which residents of an individual dormitory or group of dormitories address concerns about their living environment with a panel of their peers. The purpose of the council is to establish standards for all residents, present solutions for problem areas, establish positive recreational activities and identify facility and furnishing improvements. Participation at your location is a chance to be involved in shaping your living environment and provides an opportunity for personal growth and development in the areas of leadership and personal relationships.Ask your ADL about how you can get involved.
It is mandatory for unaccompanied Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than 3 years of service to reside in UH. An E-4 residing in UH reaching 3 years of service may be authorized to move out of UH and into local community housing. Contact your ADL for procedures you must follow to clear your room. In certain circumstances, such as to make space available for more junior Airmen, you may be authorized to move out of UH before reaching E-4 with greater than 3 years of service. The most senior Airmen are released first. Your ADL or UH Management Office representative will advise residents when early release is necessary.
When there is an excess of dormitory rooms, personnel in the ranks of E-4 with greater than 3 years of service and above may be eligible to reside in UH on a space available basis. Contact the UH Management Office to inquire about availability. If the occupancy rate should reach above a predetermined number, space available personnel may be asked to vacate their room. If the occupancy rate should reach above a predetermined number, space available personnel may be asked to vacate their room.
The Military Housing Office (MHO) provides all DOD personnel with services to assist in locating suitable housing in the local community. Although moving is sometimes stressful, it can also be an exciting opportunity to live off base and experience a new location. The housing market in the Rapid City area, for both sales and rentals, is competitive and fast paced. The MHO recommends being proactive with researching off base housing options prior to arriving in the area. Additionally, MHO has resources available to help jump-start a housing search. Black Hills Wire is a helpful tool for assisting in your search and can be found under the Important Links section of this page.
Contact the MHO as soon as you know you are moving to Ellsworth AFB. The housing team will provide the latest information on the local housing situation and offer relocation assistance to assist with finding a quality place to live. Support services range from helping members understand their lease agreements, the necessity for a military release clause, assisting in resident and landlord dispute resolution, among many others. The MHO provides a Welcome Packet with a list of area property managers, apartment complexes, and other useful housing information. The Welcome Packet can be accessed by using the appropriate link at the top right of this webpage. The MHO partners with landlords, realtors and property managers to make sure the most current information about the local housing market is provided to inbound members. The MHO also monitors housing units offered for rent to the military community.
Legal liability and personal property insurance should be considered with PCS. Before purchasing insurance, consider the coverage amount needed for household goods and consult the Property Management Office for more information about coverage. Before purchasing your insurance, please consult the MHO for more information about coverage.
For families, we understand that where your children attend school plays a large factor in the decision of where to live. For additional information regarding the schools in the general area of Ellsworth AFB, please reach out to the School Liaison Officer for Ellsworth AFB at 605-385-5385.
Referral and Relocation Assistance
28th Bomb Wing Welcome Packet
Ellsworth AFB Public Website
Military One Source
Black Hills Wire
Meade School District
Douglas Schools
Rapid City Area Schools
New Underwood School District
Dispute Resolution
Tenant Bill of Rights
Ellsworth Pet Policy