OWNERS NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2020

                                            

OWNERS NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2020

TAXES – The 2019 Consumer Expenditure Survey, which is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that Americans on average spent more on taxes than on food, clothing, healthcare and entertainment combined. This should come as no surprise to those of us that just paid our property taxes! In summary, Americans spent less on making sure families were fed, clothed, had health care, and enjoyed some entertainment, etc., last year than they did funding local, state, and federal governments.  

DEPLOYMENTS – Of the 36,665 soldiers stationed at Fort Hood, the base now has approximately 4,751 troops deployed abroad. The most recent unit to deploy was the First Cavalry Division’s 1st Armored Brigade, which now has about 3,700 soldiers in Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve. Their primary mission is to deter further Russian aggression following Russia’s 2014 incursion into Ukraine.

A GRIM MILESTONE – Killeen has seen twenty-eight homicides thus far in 2020, which is two less than in 1991, a year when the city saw thirty homicides. In 1991, Killeen experienced the worst mass shooting in the nation’s history at that time, when a Belton man shot and killed twenty-three patrons in the same day at the Luby’s Cafeteria. An additional seven homicides also occurred in that year.

RENTAL MARKET – Strong demand and a limited supply of properties continues to fuel the area’s rental housing market. We leased thirty properties last month consisting of twenty single-family houses and ten apartments. We ended October with an occupancy rate of 99%. The expensive housing markets to our south make the Fort Hood area’s affordable housing market more attractive to renters. Additionally, we continue to see steady growth in populations. Killeen now has over 150,000 residents, Harker Heights’ population now stands at 30,697, and Copperas Cove’s population is currently at 35,307. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING – We wish all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Despite the many challenges this year has brought, we still have much to be thankful for. We are truly grateful for your loyal business and for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. 

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