European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 14, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazines a photo by Gus Schuttler staff sgt. Doug Bone and Wile Carol holding daughters Stephanie left and Cortina pose in apartment rented under grip program. La plate Low Dollar the Bone 3, including Teena Jennifer seated left and Jerry Are enjoying living in Europe see Story pages 14-15. Government rental housing program easing the housing crunch by Mary Neth consumer editor any american soldiers arrive overseas Loo heavily in debt to Alford setting up a household when government housing is not available Iho High Cost of renting on the Economy can result in their being forced to leave families behind in the United states accepting inadequate housing or going further in debt. In West Germany a v corps test program called grip pronounced Ger is coming to grips with the problem. Under grip government rental housing program the Community housing referral officer is Given the authority to enter into a lease contract with a landlord explains Frank p. Palmiri Deputy director of engineering and housing in Darmstadt. The Soldier does t have to Shell out the customary German Security Deposit of two or three months rent. Because the landlords Ore assured by the military that they will be paid and All damages taken care of. They Don t even require a Deposit says Palmieri. Besides not having to come up with Deposit Money the Soldier is Able to step into an apartment which contrary to general custom already is fitted with Curlain rods carpeting clothing wardrobes electrical fixtures and Complete kitchens. Under the grip program the military asks the landlord to install All of these items. Then before the apartment is leased it is inspected to be sure that it is up to the required government housing standards. The american family who moves in is supplied with All the things including a dishwasher if possible that he would have in government quarters says Palmieri. Monday March 14, 1988 americans often go into Shock when they discover thai Many germans move their own Tchun sink from apartment to apartment pants out Oliver West Darmstadt s chief of housing referral who is in charge of administrating the local corp program the average unfurnished Gorman apartment is a group of Bare rooms with often nothing but a Bathtub toilet and Wash Basin grip which was put into effect in june 1986. Is now being tested by housing offices in bad or Cugnach. Darmstadt and Giessen to take part the Soldier signs Over his bad base allowance for Oua lors and Oha overseas housing allowance to the military housing office in Lefurn the government in this Case to army assumes the responsibility for paying All rental costs including utilities and repairs the program is voluntary and each Soldier is Given a detailed rundown on his options before h1 lakes  says Cha Lumc Danielsky. Acting Duel of the dorm slant housing divison. The leased housing cannot Cost Mote than the amount of the Soldier s Oha and he must sign an agreement Thiol he will stay in the apartment or House for the duration of his Lour the grip program basically equates to rent estate management services by the i housing referral Soltice since soldiers do not have to change dollars monthly to pay the rent they Don f get caught by Exchange rate fluctuation if there is a lag in bad or Oha. States a paper on the program released by col Robert h Holland director of engineering and housing in Darmstadt the program improves the Quality and Quantity of private rental housing units available though no statistics have been compiled. Palmieri is convinced that the program makes More housing available thereby decreasing family separation and reducing the expense of temporary lodging transportation and storage it also eliminates Soldier indebtedness to landlords and Lilily companies included in the savings Are costs of heating Oil the military is Able to buy Large quantities of Oil Al cheaper tales and is exempt from paing the Gaiman sales lax. In Many cases it then can have the Oil delivered to the apartments by contractors Between june 1986 and March 1987. Debts to landlords and Utility companies in Iho v corp area ranged from 1 5 million units to 2 million Maiks at the 2 06 Exchange Rale in Ella cd at the tune. This added up to indebtedness of from 1728 1f 5 to $970.8741 rep Leon Panulla. D Calif. Has proposed a Dill thai would authorize the services to Holp uni limit mini hours in the slates avoid Security deposits the Hill dollops a year s lest program in which landlords Neaf two bases in the United Stales Riippe