Large cracks in the foundations of many Centennial Estates homes are due to improper construction. An obvious difference in color between the actual exterior stucco finish and the patching job done to rectify cracking problems is present on most of the Centennial Estates homes. The government will use the withheld rent money to fund the cost of the repairs of the housing. After lengthy negotiations with the contractor and an attempt at mediation both failed, the Department of Justice filed suit against the contractor, Hunt Building Corporation of El Paso, Texas, alleging fraud and false claims, as well as breach of contract. The Air Force also sent the company a notice that it was being considered for debarment from federal contracting.
Hunt is the nation's largest builder of military family housing.
Given the failure of lengthy negotiations, Air Force officials said they had no viable alternative but to stop paying rent Jan. 1 on 489 family housing units located on the base. These units are uninhabited and uninhabitable. Abating the rent to repair the homes ourselves is the only viable way, at this point, to meet that responsibility. Hunt built the housing, known as Centennial Estates, in the early 1990s. From the start, problems plagued Centennial Estates, attributed to the contractor failing to design and construct the units in compliance with applicable building codes and to have a comprehensive quality control program.