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This is actually an apartment. But it may also be a hotel. Wrong on both counts, for it is actually corporate housing. Corporate housing has gained traction over the last decade, yet some companies still don’t know much about it. The Corporate Housing Providers Association values the corporate housing industry at $2.77 billion in the United States during 2008, being comprised of approximately 73,385 units with an occupancy rate of 88.5 percent.

Corporate Housing in Houston Explained

Corporate housing in Houston is made up of several companies, including (but not limited to): Choice Corporate Housing, Oakwood Worldwide, RXHousing, and CorporateHousingcom.

Why would you consider the use of corporate housing? Simple, it’s very convenient, it’s more comfortable with twice the living space, and it’s cost effective at half the price.

Although corporate housing is best known for catering to the business traveler, the services may also be utilized for short-term living arrangements during a relocation or for brief military assignments. Theater groups on tour will avail themselves of corporate housing during prolonged performance engagements, as will television or film crews and casts when filming on location. Others use corporate housing for personal getaways. Insurance companies often provide this type of housing for displaced policyholders.

Corporate housing companies can act quickly to provide temporary housing in an emergency. Everyone recalls hurricane Katrina which came ashore in 2005, creating havoc in southern Mississippi and wiping out New Orleans, Louisiana. Houston, being a nearby metropolitan city, received a ton of requests for corporate housing. Thousands of displaced employees were in extreme need for temporary housing.

Within tree weeks of this terrible event, Oakwood Worldwide was able to provide 1,500 apartments in different locations to assist these employees. . According to Mobility Magazine in 2007, Oakwood Senior Vice President Gavan James stated, “Frankly, the only thing we were limited by was our furniture rental companies couldn’t take it on any faster than that,”

Some firms retain an inventory of furniture. “We own all the furniture in our units,” said Paul Sternberg of Choice Corporate Housing, “which is advantageous because we don’t have to depend on other sources for furniture and housewares. “We can make certain that our quality needs are met, and we are sure that our units are in the best shape, permitting our control over each section of our business”, he said.

Advantages of Corporate Housing in Houston
When you consider comprehensive travel spending, whether it is for special projects, relocations or general corporate travel, Houston corporate housing offers savings and convenience when compared to mid-range to high-end hotels. Many corporate apartments provide access to fitness centers, laundry facilities and business centers.

Sternberg was quoted saying, “We provide great value with corporate housing in Houston.” “That’s because we are a small company, which gives us flexibility”. He states that they are able change accommodations quickly and provide a discounted product.
“We can set clients up with a 700-950 sq ft elegantly furnished apartment in a Houston high-rise for as little as $60 a night, less than what you would pay for a 285 sq ft hotel room”, he added. The value of Houston corporate housing over hotels is striking as you can obtain in excess of twice the living area at discounted pricing together with the comforts of home. Another benefit of corporate housing in Houston is being able to get fully-equipped kitchens.

Companies can save money by reducing travel expenses. A healthier option to dining out, employees can shop for the foods they like and cook their own meals which saves time and money.
It may also reduce charges for food allowance as employees favor preparing the meals they like and still have the capability of dining out for business entertainment.

It is true that there are many advantages to staying in a hotel. However, once you stay in a hotel for a week or two, you tend to miss the comforts of home. Therefore, using corporate housing can result in more productive employees on extended stays.

In Summary
Cost effectiveness is generally a top factor as companies choose corporate housing, however an underlying benefit is the decrease in intangible costs of employee non-productivity and mental pressure. There is the human desire for a tranquil home environment, and this is afforded by Houston corporate housing units. The privacy of a well equipped, furnished apartment in a convenient locale also lowers employee stress level when conducting business out of town.

Plus, with the various amenity options, you can not find better value. On the next occasion that your firm has to seek employee accommodations for prolonged periods, explore what corporate housing in Houston has to offer.