Fort Hood Sentinel (Temple, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, August 3, 1973 Page: 1 of 28
twenty eight pages : ill. ; page 22 x 16 in.View a full description of this newspaper.
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VOL. 32 NO. 22
By JOHN SAVARD
Although the plusher rentals are beyond the $105
housing allowance of lower grade EM surrounding
communities have a wide ranging variety of good
housing for Ft. Hood G.I.'s.
Last week the Sentinel depicted some of the
problem areas. This week real estate developers and
local apartment complex operators gave many
opinions and suggestions.
One man who is developing a 91-acre tract of land
just opposite the new interchange at Ft. Hood's main
gate was contacted by the Sentinel. He is consen-
trating his efforts into multi-dwellings.
There are only 20 single family homes to be built in
the area and most of these have been sold already.
But a total of 76 duplex triplex and four-plex units
are being constructed. A new apartment complex
with some 56 one bedroom units is already built ren
ting for $150 a month unfurnished and $165 furnished.
The builder stated that he plans to build a 56-unit
two bedroom apartment complex in the near future.
Cost of these new units will be $250 furnished and
$225 unfurnished.
Besides the apartment houses smaller multi-
family dwellings are being constructed. One unique
feature is a group of six four-plexes which are four
apartments in one building. Two apartments are one
bedroom units while the others are two bedroom
facilities.
Cost of the four-plexes peaks at $48500 and can be
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financed by VA. Move-in costs are $1000 down plus
$800 closing.
The advantages of such a unit are that while the
owner occupies one apartment the other units can be
rented at $200 monthly for two bedrooms and $150
for one bedroom units.
This cuts down the owner's mortgage payments. If
one individual doesn't presently qualify for the loan
two can form a partnership in the investment easing
the loan requirements.
Duplex units can be had for $1500 move-in costs
with $343 a month mortgage payments. Here again
$250 a month rent on the other side of the unit can
make the owner's monthly housing costs only $93.
The developer pointed out that there is no such
thing anymore as an inexpensive three bedroom two
bath home. He said this was a shame because this
eliminates much of the public needing housing. Lot
and construction costs were blamed for the situation.
He also mentioned that mortgage money is
becoming scarce due to low VA rates. Financial help
all but dried-up before a recent raise in those lending
rates.
Another builder interviewed was a member of the
Killeen planning board. He said that the housing
problem was created by the Army.
According to this builder the Army could not af
ford to build housing to off-set the low BAQ awarded
E-4's and below anymore than civilian industry could.
But it houses individual soldiers with large BAQ's
FORT HOOD SENTINEL
•PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PERSONNEL OF FORT HOOD.'
FORT HOOD FRIDAY AUGUST 3 1973
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'Published by Community Enterprises Incorporated a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army. Opinions expressed by writers herein are their own and are not to be considered an official expression of the Department
of the Army. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not' constitute an endorsement by the Department of the products or services advertised."
CO
army
«S82 iiOOD^ TEXAS
Good housing available in surrounding area
and expects civilians to do the job.
More mobile homes could come into Killeen but
parks applying found it hard to meet standards set
by the city he said.
He also said that since the Army has gone to an
all-volunteer force and in expected to attract young
volunteers it should take care of the E-l through
E-4's. "I can take care of the majors and captains"
he stated "but not the lower ranking soldiers."
As far as high rent was concerned he said "you
can't charge what the market will bear (can afford)
but what is necessary to meet the costs." He said
there was no way to give decent housing for $105 a
month.
But the home builder also mentioned that local
businesses should realize that military families have
the same needs and are no different than others. He
pointed out that they may complain about repairs
more but that is because they are conditioned to
military housing and quick response by post
engineers.
This particular development offers homes ranging
in price from $22500 through $32500. The area
operated by this company has about a 50 to 60 per
cent military family population. He said the civilian
population was higher here than in other areas of
Killeen.
"I would love to build $100 a month apartments and
low cost homes if I could" he said but today's home
buyer expects air conditioning carpets fireplaces
58
and other luxuries which are now considered essen
tial.
Apartment Living
The next interview was with an apartment
manager who manages apartments for a leading
local builder. These apartments feature two-bedroom
units for $175 and one-bedroom units for $140. In
cluded in the rent are water expenses and cable
television. A laundramat pool and gas barbecue
grills are open and available to all tenants.
Continued on Page 8A
Inside the Sentinel
Local building 8A
Wesson retires 11A
Ballad of Bibby IB
Ray Charles 10B
28 Pages
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Fort Hood Sentinel (Temple, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, August 3, 1973, newspaper, August 3, 1973; Temple, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth255192/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Casey Memorial Library.