It appears to be an apartment. It is not the hotel room you may have expected. No, it’s 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

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.

What will you get out of using 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.

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. Corporate housing is also used for personal getaways and by insurance companies for displaced policyholders.

When an emergency happens, corporate housing companies are known to move very fast to provide temporary housing. Everyone recalls hurricane Katrina which came ashore in 2005, creating havoc in southern Mississippi and wiping out New Orleans, Louisiana. Being relatively near, Houston was inundated with inquiries for corporate housing to sustain thousands of employees who had lost their living quarters.

Oakwood Worldwide was able to provide 1,500 apartments in various locales within three weeks. . 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 companies own their own 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. 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
When you look at the overall travel spend picture, be it for special projects, relocations or ordinary business travel, Houston corporate housing provides cost savings and convenience over comparable mid to high-end hotels. Many corporate units will offer amenities such as fitness centers, laundry and business centers.

Sternberg was quoted saying, “We provide great value with corporate housing in Houston.” He went on to say that being a small company allows for a lot of 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. 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 advantage of corporate housing in Houston is the availability of a kitchen with cooking utensils.

This can reduce expenses charged to businesses. A healthier option to dining out, employees can shop for the foods they like and cook their own meals which saves time and money.
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.

While hotels have their own advantages, after a week or two, people miss the relaxed environment of home. The home-like atmosphere of temporary housing can mean more productive employees while on extended stays.

The Bottom Line
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. There is a natural wish for a calm environment when travelling and this is made possible by Houston corporate housing. 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.