(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Construction for new soldier-family housing at Fort Carson kicked off on Monday, Aug. 5 with a ceremony on the Mountain Post.

Housing company Belfour Beatty Communities began the first phase of the construction project for new housing on post on Monday, the project will add 56 new townhouses for active-duty members. Each will have three to four bedrooms and another that meets ADA compliance standards.

“This project has been a long time coming. Two years ago we started the demolition of the old Cherokee West Village, but the work really goes well before that,” said Col. Sean Brown, U.S. Army Garrison Commander.

“The homes that were here previously were built in the 1950s, they were no longer suitable for family housing,” added Col. Brown. “So, we made the decision several years ago to tear those down and build new.”

In 2023, a pregnant woman fell through the floor of her home on post. Families at Fort Carson expressed concern and raised questions about safety in the former homes. The concerns also led to many questions on the living conditions, not only at Fort Carson but at all military installations.

“We are working hand in hand with Befour Beatty Communities Construction, to ensure that the new builds are built to a standard that is suitable for families,” he added.

Mountain post leaders say there is a waitlist to get one of these new units and may take weeks.

“The waitlist typically sit from two to four weeks, sometimes during the summer, but it can go up to about eight weeks,” added Col Brown.

In the 2022 U.S. Army Housing Survey, Fort Carson ranked lowest in tenant satisfaction for installations with privatized housing. The new housing is expected to be completed in September 2025.