Leased Military Housing Costs in Europe Can Be Reduced by Improving Acquisition Practices and Using Purchase Contracts

摘要

The Congress has expressed a strong and continuing interest in reducing the high costs of leased housing overseas for U.S. military families. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the military services have not been successful in containing the growth of leased housing in Europe. GAO found various opportunities to improve the services' acquisition practices in awarding and administering family housing leases that would increase competition and offer opportunity to reduce leasing costs in Europe. Also, GAO believes that granting the services authority to acquire needed housing through installment purchase contracts is an alternative means of reversing the trend toward increased leasing.