Indoor Environmental Quality Program Improves Military Housing

Programmatic Upgrades to Quality of Air, Water and Light Promote Indoor Health; Corvias Expands Program Beyond Fort Meade and Fort Liberty with Strong Resident Demand

For the past two consecutive fiscal years, the U.S. Army failed to meet its recruiting targets, resulting in the smallest force since 1940. Collectively with the Navy and Air Force, the three branches missed most recent recruitment goals by more than 41,000 recruits. At the “very center” of the Defense Department’s recruit and retain approach, its Resilient and Healthy Defense Communities Strategy guides actions that focus on improving defense installations, to improve the quality of life of servicemembers and their families.

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Corvias’ recent indoor environmental quality (IEQ) upgrades are in demand by portfolio residents, with more than 545 current military residents expressing interest in participating and signing up to stay informed. (Photo: Business Wire)

When the Defense Department partnered with private companies in the mid-90s as part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI), it was successful in eliminating an operations and maintenance backlog of more than $20 billion, which had led to homes that were “decrepit and in short supply.” MHPI initial and outyear capital improvement plans have constructed more than 75,000 new homes and renovated 50,000 additional homes, with a total of more than $32 billion invested by private partners. As decades passed with funding shortfalls, inflation, increased utilities expenses, aging infrastructure and emerging environmental standards, military housing is again in need of improvement. With 99% of housing on and around domestic military bases privatized, according to the U.S. Government Accounting Office, engagement and expedited mobilization of these partners is essential.

In March, Corvias announced its portfolio-wide pursuit of WELL for Residential, a WELL Certification pathway for residential dwellings administered by the International Well Building Institute, the world’s largest certification and ratings body for healthy buildings. This commitment is aimed at achieving science-backed, certifiable living standards for all its residents, emphasizing the improvement of quality of life.

In 2Q24, Corvias successfully completed the implementation of air, water and light quality upgrades at select prototype units at Fort Meade, Md. and Fort Liberty, N.C., where it partners with the U.S. Army to operate and maintain more than 8,700 residences. This preliminary implementation demonstrates substantial quantifiable improvements in indoor air, water and light quality, measured against strict industry thresholds and standards for indoor health, demonstrating the significant benefit of roll-out of these upgrades across Corvias’ portfolio.

Corvias plans to expand the program to include other military housing communities that are part of the Corvias portfolio, with prototype installations scheduled for this summer at Fort Novosel, Ala.; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Riley, Kan.; and Fort Johnson, La.

“With increasing focus on indoor air and water quality, current environmental impacts from wildfires, pollutants and other risk-factors associated with respiratory illnesses, together with the EPA’s recently issued, first-ever national drinking water standards for ‘PFAS,’ the time is now to protect our military service members and their families, and support readiness and quality of life”, said Chris Wilson, CEO of Corvias. “We are implementing strategies that are grounded in science and third-party validation to position Corvias for deployment of proven interventions for improving the indoor environment.”

Strong, Positive Resident Feedback

The recent indoor environmental quality (IEQ) upgrades are in demand by portfolio residents, with more than 545 current military residents already expressing interest to participate in the program.

“Residents have been decidedly pleased with the outcomes of Corvias’ improvements,” Wilson added.

At Fort Meade, as an example, after interventions across air, water and light, military residents reported:

• 82% increase in resident satisfaction with on-post housing,
• 93% increase in satisfaction with water quality, and
• 88% increased interest in other wellness products to enhance their living experience.

The initial installs and resident engagement are a precursor to a full portfolio roll-out across all 22,000 of Corvias’ privatized military homes, a plan that has been submitted to the U.S. Army for approval.

Quantitatively and qualitatively improving the IEQ of military homes to certifiable standards for indoor health reflects the innovative, resident-oriented solutions Corvias delivers. This dedication has earned the company highest honors for 2023 resident satisfaction across its installations, as reported by SatisFacts, an independent survey company.

To learn how Corvias provides Solutions Through Partnerships® to infrastructure challenges, please visit Corvias.com.

About Corvias

Corvias partners with the Department of Defense and higher education institutions to solve infrastructure and energy resiliency challenges and to create long-term, sustainable value through our unique Solutions Through Partnerships® approach. Corvias’ partnerships enhance the well-being in our communities, including at the largest renewable energy project in Kansas and at resiliency projects nationwide. Our more than 72,000 residents consistently highly rank the courtesy and professionalism of our maintenance and leasing personnel. To learn more, please visit: www.corvias.com.

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