FORT DRUM — The installation has proposed the construction of more than 500 homes on post to the Army, according to a press release Wednesday.

Fort Drum already is in the midst of completing 845 new homes and renovating 2,272 existing homes. It also will soon begin construction on The Timbers, with 192 apartments for unaccompanied senior enlisted soldiers and officers. Those projects are scheduled to be completed in 2009.

Last year, Congress allocated $75 million to increase the housing capacity at Fort Drum and a market survey of the area conducted by the Army originally indicated the post should build 320 houses.

"That was an initial figure," said Mindy B. Miller, marketing manager for Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes, a partnership between Actus Lend Lease and the Army to provide housing on post.

However, the Army's announcement in December that an additional 1,479 soldiers would be assigned to the installation by 2013 led to further consideration of the number, which as a result was increased by 554.

According to the press release, the proposal is still under consideration by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Army officials. Mrs. Miller said the installation is expecting to receive a decision by mid-May.

"We're fairly confident that's going to be approved," she said.

Construction on the houses would begin soon after that and is expected to be completed by 2011.

She said Fort Drum should not have to ask the Army for any additional funding for the housing.

"I don't foresee that happening," Mrs. Miller said.

The press release said the homes would be "single-family and duplex-styled" and Mrs. Miller said most of them are intended for lower ranking soldiers, who may not be able to afford rents off post.

The new homes are slated to be divided between the Indian River and Carthage Central school districts.