Living the suite life

[unhappycamper]

Under the Homeport Ashore Initiative, the Navy has teamed up with civilian developers to build housing, such as this in Norfolk, Va., in fleet concentration areas. The Norfolk project consists of 120 apartments for sailors ranked E-1 through E-3 as well as unmarried E-4s and includes a swimming pool, gym, lounge and recreation area.


Living the suite life
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Nov 22, 2008 7:34:04 EST

NORFOLK, Va. — The apartments are light and airy, furnished and clean. They feel like a generous college dormitory room, and that’s pretty much what they are.

And on last Friday, they officially became the home for some of the Navy’s most junior sailors.

Called Camp Elmore Manor Homes, the 120-apartment complex is one of the first of the Navy’s public-private housing projects for junior sailors, with other projects planned or under construction in other parts of Hampton Roads, San Diego and other areas.

It’s part of the Homeport Ashore program, a multi-year effort to give junior sailors a place to stay when their ship is in port. In Norfolk, the program also is refurbishing and managing existing barracks for 1,315 junior sailors.

The Norfolk building features two-sailor suites, each with a shared living room, dining area and kitchen. The complex will have a swimming pool, a basketball court, and, yes, a hot tub.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/navy_housing_112208/%2e

[Captain Hilts]

1. BIG improvement over the older stuff. But in Va. Beach...the Older stuff...

going back to the 50s, was far better built, while the newer, 70s-era housing was built very cheaply.

The Navy needs to invest in decent, well-built housing. Outside the Little Creek Amphib Base, this stuff looks pretty good, but I don't know if it is.