Corporate mobility programmes should reassess destination support, housing allowances and technology as relocation volumes increase and rental markets become faster-moving, according to Global Mobility Solutions (GMS).
Its 2026 Destination Services & US Rental Housing case study looked at 142 high-volume destination service providers (DSPs), who together manage more than 39,000 service authorisations annually. Most businesses said they had seen growth in 2025 and expected volumes to rise during 2026.
GMS said tighter housing inventories and rising rents were giving transferees less time to make decisions, increasing the risk of unsuitable choices, early lease terminations and expensive policy exceptions. It said using destination services would help reduce these risks.
The research also found that programmes that provide three or more service days produced better outcomes. While one- or two-day authorisations offered limited research and property viewings, longer programmes enabled more detailed assessments of neighbourhoods, commutes and schools.
North America accounted for more than half of destination assignments, with California, Oregon, Texas, Florida and New York leading US inbound demand.
GMS recommended companies vary service levels and budgets according to local market conditions, while housing allowances should also reflect property size. Three-bedroom homes typically cost 55-60 per cent more than one-bedroom properties, it said.
Coastal markets remained expensive, while additional housing supply had reduced rents modestly in some states, including Arizona and Texas.
Technology is growing in importance to DSP providers, said the report, with every company surveyed citing automated workflows as an area for investment. Many businesses are also introducing artificial intelligence, integrated APIs and data analytics.
GMS said mobility teams should use real-time market data, authorise sufficient destination support and work with technology-enabled providers to improve employee experiences and control costs.