The US Government and Its Inefficient Property Management
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Government Accountability Office (GAO) added to its list of "high risk" situations the administration of public property. So it happens the government rents spaces in the private sector even though it owns various properties. Their assets are underutilized and, according to the control body, this produces millions in additional costs.</p>
The US government faces major problems in the administration of federal property, according to the US Audit (GAO). This is due to the inefficient management of state property and excessive dependence on rents.
Currently, there are areas of the state rely heavily on renting. So it happens the government agencies often hire privately owned spaces, when they in turn are underusing property. This practice is inefficient because it causes additional costs of millions of dollars.
The GAO has been calling this a matter of "high risk" since 2003. Such as was cleared in the NASA report (an institution is designated that, according to the US Watchdog, is subject to vulnerabilities such as fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement and, therefore, they are those with the greatest need for transformation.
From 2006 to 2011 the General Services Administration (GSA), the leasing agent of federal agencies, 12% increased rents to the private sector. As a result, the GSA had to use its own funds to compensate for economic losses, which reduces the capital available for investment.
Due to the underutilization of properties and excess rents, in June 2010 Barack Obama imposed on state agencies the goal of saving costs three million dollars for 2012 through a series of initiatives with the purpose of improving the management of estate.
Small Advances
The federal government made progress in reforming property management after being labeled "high risk". For example, in 2004 it issued Executive Order 13327 which created the Federal Council of Real Estate, comprising the areas of the competent State in the matter, in order to promote reforms.
But…
The US State not yet fully addressed the challenges posed by the Audit. The GAO says that they even "lack accurate information to support decision-making."
Moreover, the supervisory body said that they "lack legal requirements." For example, it is still pending the need for standards related to environmental and historic preservation.
What GAO Recommends
US Audit recommended a plan of action to develop a national strategy for effective property management. Similarly, agencies must carry out a comprehensive program to protect the facilities.