What are possible alternatives for "housing" in this context?

In the following sentence:

Yosemite National Park recently posted video of this bear climbing a tree near ranger housing.

I understand that housing here is a collective for quarters serving as accommodation to rangers during their shifts.

Would it saying "... climbing a tree near ranger houses" mean the same thing? Or would it carry any additional meaning (for instance would it imply they are the primary and permanent residence of the rangers, where they live with their families maybe, instead of being just their workplace?).

Or maybe are there any requirements for one to call them houses? For instance, if they lack a kitchen or living room found in common houses where people live then they can't be considered houses?

Another question: would "ranger dwellings" fit in this sentence as well?

Thanks!

This usage of the word housing refers exactly as you said in the question; the place where the rangers are domiciled while working as a ranger. The do not own the propertie(s) instead they use them in the previously mentioned capacity. If you changed the word to houses would imply that these houses are owned by the rangers, while ranger housing would imply the buildings are owned by a third party (the government or company that manages the area).

To answer the second question, ranger dwellings could fit as well, but the distinction may or may not apply.