It’s an apartment. It is not the hotel room you may have expected. Wrong on both counts, for it is actually corporate housing. The popularity of corporate housing has increased over the past 10 years, but some companies have yet to understand what it really is. 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

When it comes to corporate housing, Houston is lucky to have several companies you can choose from, including Choice Corporate Housing, Oakwood Worldwide, RXHousing and CorporateHousingcom, to name a few.

Why would you consider the use of corporate housing? It is extremely convenient, the accommodations, with double the living area, are more enjoyable, and at about one-half the price, it is cost effective.

It is true that corporate housing was designed with business travelers in mind, but it can also be accessed by people who need a temporary place to live due to relocation or short-term military assignment. For example, traveling theater groups have used corporate housing when they are staying in an area for a while due to performances. Television/film actors and crews are also known to use it when they are shooting 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,”

There are some companies that own their own furniture. Paul Sternberg of Choice Corporate Housing states,”We own all the furniture in our units.” He feels this is more advantageous than renting it, because it allows them to be free of the burden of depending on other sources for the furniture and housewares they require. He goes on to say that by owning the furniture, his company “can ensure that the quality meets our specific needs, and we know our units are in top shape, allowing us to control every aspect of our business,”

Benefits of Corporate Housing in Houston
For people traveling and staying for a short period of time, whether it is for special projects, relocations, or general business travel, Houston corporate housing is a source of convenience and savings you would not get from mid to high-end hotels. Many corporate apartments provide access to fitness centers, laundry facilities and business centers.

“We give excellent value with corporate housing in Houston, Sternberg stated. “That’s because we are a small company, which gives us flexibility”. We can swap accommodation rapidly and we provide reduced rates.
“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. When looking at the value of Houston corporate housing against hotels, you will see that you are provided with twice the living space at the same bargain rates. Plus, you are made to feel right at home. Another benefit of corporate housing in Houston is being able to get fully-equipped kitchens.

Companies can save money by reducing travel expenses. In lieu of room service, employees can cook their own meals which not only saves money, it is also healthier than eating out.
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.

Although there are advantages with hotels, after a couple of weeks most people long for the comforts of home. So, taking advantage of corporate housing can increase employee productivity on prolonged business trips.

Cost Effectiveness
Cost effectiveness is generally a top factor as companies choose corporate housing in Houston, but an underlying benefit is the decrease in vague 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.

Lastly, the availability of amenity options is the frosting on the cake The next time your company needs to accommodate employees for extended time periods, check out the convenience of corporate housing in Houston.

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