For the first time ever, the Army is making rental housing available at Fort Hood to people not affiliated with the military.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that a shrinking military population has left housing vacancies at the post, which in 2001 became the first military post to turn over its housing operation to a private contractor. The firm manages homes and townhomes, with rents starting at $995 per month, for about 5,500 military families.
The company's project director, Mack Quinney, said Fort Hood is the latest of nearly three dozen military installations to make housing available for non-military families. Two families unaffiliated with the military now are living at the post.
About 40,000 active duty personnel are based at Fort Hood, down by about 10,000 from five years ago.
