Summary: In response to a congressional request, GAO examined the Department of State's management of U.S.-owned and leased overseas properties, focusing on State's: (1) implementation of its housing standards; (2) building maintenance program; (3) development of a management information system; and (4) procedure for acquiring and disposing of overseas government properties.
GAO found that State: (1) failed to follow its own housing standards when leasing housing units for its overseas personnel; (2) acquired above-standard housing in seven countries it reviewed, which resulted in excess costs; (3) could not justify its use of above-standard housing or its authorization of such housing standards; (4) estimated that it needed about $1 billion to repair neglected and deteriorating overseas housing units; (5) technical personnel had limited experience in real estate activities, and did not give high priority to controlling or enforcing space standards; (6) has not fully implemented its Real Estate Management System (REMS) at most overseas posts, and REMS data were inaccurate and incomplete; and (7) did not develop plans for acquiring and disposing of government-owned properties overseas due to a lack of funds and continuity of assignments.
