Officials say a proposal to open Fort Gordon housing to civilian employees and retired members of the military has been suspended.

Officials first want to search for ways to rent more homes on post to active-duty personnel and their families.

Fort Garrison Commander Col. Sam Anderson says an earlier announcement that retirees and civilian Department of Defense employees are now eligible to rent homes on post was "premature."

Anderson says his office is working with the family housing provider at Fort Gordon to develop a plan that will generate a residential occupancy rate of 95 percent or higher on post without needing civilian or retiree tenants.

Officials estimate Fort Gordon has a residential population of 2,800 families, enough for a 94 percent occupancy rate.

Tags: Fort Gordon, Fort Gordon Army Base, Georgia military