Better Army Housing Management Through Information Technology

Abstract

The Department of the Army must provide its personnel with acceptable housing at minimum cost within the vicinity of military installations. To achieve these housing objectives, the Army often must enter into agreements for the long-term construction of on post housing or the leasing of existing off post housing. A decision technology system, called the Housing Analysis Decision Technology System (HADTS), has been developed to support the construction or leasing management process. The HADTS architecture is based on a combination of database, econometric, heuristic programming, mapping, and decision support techniques. Its deployment has enabled the Department of the Army to realize significant economic, management, and political benefits. Future enhancements, motivated by the challenges from the current system, promise to increase the power of HADTS and to further improve the Army’s ability to manage its housing assets.