National Guard Bureau signs $292M apartment contract for 2,000 units in D.C.

Thousands of National Guardsmen mobilized to Washington, D.C., will soon move into apartment units under a $292 million rental contract that officials describe as a "long-term housing solution."

Contract Details

National Guard Bureau officials announced Friday that they had signed a three-year contract with corporate lodging company Placemakr to provide 2,000 apartment-style units for Guardsmen serving in the nation's capital, according to a press release.

The contract was executed through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which handles procurement for the entire federal government and offers pre-negotiated contracts for goods and services to federal agencies.

Background on the Mobilization

In August 2025, President Donald Trump announced the mobilization of 800 local National Guardsmen to Washington, D.C., to bolster local law enforcement. That number has gradually increased over the past year as Republican governors added troops from their states to the mission.

As of Monday, 4,755 National Guardsmen from 15 states were assigned to the Guard's Joint Task Force-District of Columbia.

Current Housing Situation

The majority of troops without local housing had been staying at hotels throughout the region, officials said. It has been unclear how long the D.C. Guard mobilization will last, but contracts with local vendors—such as those providing daily meals—have indicated how officials plan for the evolving mission, which is approaching one year in August.

With the latest housing contract, officials described the apartments as a "long-term housing solution."

Placemakr Properties and Amenities

Placemakr advertises its rental services as "apartment meet hotel," offering fully furnished units for short- or long-term stays. The company operates in major cities including New York City; Austin, Texas; and Atlanta, Georgia. There are four Placemakr housing complexes in Washington, D.C., and one in Arlington, Virginia.

Rents for a studio or one-bedroom apartment at the property in D.C.'s Navy Yard neighborhood range from $1,800 to $2,800 per month.

According to contract documents, GSA has a deal with Placemakr for a variety of apartments with amenities similar to other luxury complexes in the area. Available units include:

• Small single-room studios as small as 277 square feet
• Five-bedroom units up to 1,000 square feet
• Weekly housekeeping
• Wi-Fi and smart TVs
• In-room or on-site washers and dryers
• Gyms
• Full kitchens or partial kitchenettes

Official Statements

National Guard officials said the apartments would provide troops with "more stable living conditions, improved privacy and quality of life and access to secure parking and consolidated support services."

"The contract is the largest interagency lodging acquisition in National Guard history, providing a long-term housing solution to improve troop readiness, quality of life and operational security while reducing costs to taxpayers, all key issues given the scale and scope of the D.C. mission," officials said.

Update: 7/24/2026 — This article was updated with confirmation from the National Guard Bureau that the contract is for three years.

Get Task & Purpose in your inbox

Subscribe to Task & Purpose Today to receive the latest military news each morning.

Task & Purpose Video

Each week on Tuesdays and Fridays, our team brings you analysis of military tech, tactics, and doctrine.