In the mid 1990's, the federal government realized in order to retain service members, their quality of life had to improve on the installations. Building better homes and making significant renovations and improvements to existing homes could accomplish this. The government also knew it did not have the means to achieve this goal and decided to privatize military family housing. Privatization means that private sector expertise and private financing would be brought on post as partners to improve the family housing situation faster than the government could do it.
The Army established the Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) to partner with private developers. In 2008, the Army and Aberdeen Proving Ground selected Picerne Military Housing to build, own, renovate, manage and maintain family housing on post for the next 50 years. The partnership is long-term and focused on the sustainability of housing and enhancing the quality of family and community life for Aberdeen Proving Ground's Soldiers and their families.
Aberdeen Proving Ground and Picerne worked together to develop the Community Development and Management Plan (CDMP), which is the blueprint for the 50 years of the project. This plan is for managing, repairing, maintaining and upgrading existing housing until it is replaced. The plan also calls for designing, constructing and subsequently managing and maintaining 210 newly constructed homes. In addition, every historic home will be upgraded and renovated. A Neighborhood Center, complete with pool and athletic facilities, jogging trails, tot-lots and inviting green spaces, will reflect the Picerne commitment to Families First.®
What will this mean for families living on post? As in the private sector, Soldiers sign a lease and receive their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to pay rent for the homes they live in on post. The rent equals the BAH received by the service member and includes basic utilities and some renter's insurance.
Picerne's mission is to improve the quality of life for American Soldiers and military families. By building, managing and maintaining the highest quality homes and neighborhoods, Picerne Military Housing continues to support the US military and to bring the American dream to all the families who live in Picerne Military Housing homes.