New year brings new changes to housing utilities Published Oct. 7, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Dover Air Force Base, DEL -- Eagle Heights housing residents will notice a change in their bank statements in the New Year. Starting January 2009, residents will be receiving partial Basic Allowance for Housing to pay their utilities. Before, Pinnacle Housing would receive a residents' Basic Allowance for Housing and would use part of that money for rent and a set amount would go to a third party company, ISTA, who would pay electricity and gas bills. Now the residents will receive the money that was set aside for utilities directly in their paychecks and will be able to pay those bills themselves and keep the money that is left over. "This won't affect residents' bottom line in any way, shape or form," said Chris Radziewicz, Pinnacle Housing Director. "It's a much easier way for everyone involved. It gets the bills to the residents in real time and if people conserve their energy they will not have to wait for ISTA to pay them back, they will have that money instantly. " Mr. Radziewicz also worked with the local companies so base housing residents would not have to pay a deposit on the initial set up of their accounts. Housing residents will be receiving notification of the utility changes in the mail, however, the change will not take effect until January. According to Mr. Radzeiwicz, the bills for December 2008 will be calculated based on past data to ensure that residents receive their last bills in January 2009. Residents will receive their last bill from ISTA in January 2009 and will pay ISTA for any overages. On January 2, the individual home meters will be read, and the account will transfer to the resident's name. Any refunds that are due from ISTA will be received in February 2009.