The United States Army announced Wednesday that it approved $1.1 billion to improve privatized housing on six bases in the United States.
Building on a partnership with Lendlease, a company that agreed to own and operate the housing, the investment will allow expedite an already planned sustainment program by over 10 years, according to an Army spokesperson.
“Under the guidance of Army senior leaders to ensure readiness of our force and quality of life for Soldiers and their families, we have reached an extraordinary milestone with Lendlease,” said Gen. Ed Daly, commander of Army Materiel Command. “This additional investment will go a long way in improving the quality of homes for Soldiers and their families.”
Over 26,000 Army homes are owned and operated across the United States by Lendlease. The additional funding will allow substantial improvements to at least 12,000 homes on Fort Hood, Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, Fort Wainwright, Fort Drum and Army housing on Oahu.
The investment will also allow 1,200 new homes to be built on Fort Hood, Fort Campbell, Fort Knox and Fort Wainwright. A significant percentage of the funds will be provided to Fort Hood.
“Today, the Army announced that Fort Hood will receive significant funding to upgrade and build new housing for enlisted Soldiers. Work will begin in summer 2021,” Lt. Gen. Pat White, III Corps commanding general at Fort Hood, said in a statement. “Thank you to the Soldiers and Families who participated in various town halls, focus groups, and surveys; this accelerated funding is a direct result of your input during those open forums. I look forward to seeing our Soldiers and their families in modern housing that they can be proud to call home. People are our greatest asset, and we owe it to the Soldiers and families who work and live here to provide them the best housing possible.”
Long-term sustainment plans are in place at every Army installation, including repair, replacement and reinvestment, but the additional funding will give the Army a chance to make improvements quicker.
“We are getting in front of housing issues,” Daly said. “Commanders at all levels are engaged. Our leaders and housing staffs continue to address problems quickly. The feedback loops – such as web-based apps, installation town halls and helpdesk lines to ensure our residents can quickly identify and report problems – are working. Leaders and housing company personnel are responding quickly, and we are seeing significant results.”
The Army had formerly approved other privatized housing companies to develop and renovate more than 3,500 homes and completely replace over 800.
