This is actually an apartment. It is not the hotel room you may have expected. No, it’s 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. According to the Corporate Housing Providers Association, corporate housing was a $2.77 billion dollar industry in the US in 2008, with an estimated 73,385 units and an occupancy rate of 88.5 percent.

Corporate Housing in Houston

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

Why use 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. 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. Other instances of corporate housing use are individual vacations and by insurance companies needing to make accommodations for distressed 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.

Oakwood Worldwide made 1,500 apartments available in several locations within a matter of three weeks.. “Frankly, the only thing we were limited by was our furniture rental companies couldn’t take it on any faster than that,” said Oakwood Senior Vice President Gavan James when interviewed by Mobility Magazine in 2007

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. “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
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. There are many corporate apartments that give tenants 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”. We can change accommodation quickly, and we offer 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 vs hotels differs as you get over twice the living space at bargain rates with all the comforts of home. Another benefit of corporate housing in Houston is being able to get fully-equipped kitchens.

This can reduce expenses charged to businesses. In lieu of room service, employees can cook their own meals which not only saves money, it is also healthier than eating out.
This can lower per diems allowed for food as employees like the idea of cooking their own favorite meals, yet they still have the option of dining out for corporate entertainment if necessary.

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.

Cost Effectiveness
The main reason companies tend to use temporary accommodations is how cost effective it really is; however, they also get the advantage of decreased elusive costs, because employees are more efficient and less stressed, meaning they can get more done when staying here. It is a natural human desire to want a relaxing home-like environment. This is exactly what Houston corporate housing provides. The privacy of a well-outfitted, furnished apartment in a convenient location will reduce employee tension when spending time out of town on business.

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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