Hunt Pinnacle set to begin construction, renovation of Hanscom homes Published June 1, 2009 By Rhonda Siciliano 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Landings at Hanscom staff are gearing up for a busy summer as they begin work on the construction of new homes and renovation work on some of the existing units in Hanscom's privatized housing. "I am very excited about June and the summer being a grand opening for our Hanscom housing community," said Col. Dave Orr, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "We have 15 families moving into new three and four-bedroom homes this month and every housing area on Hanscom has a facelift underway. We talk every day with the Hunt-Pinnacle housing team and I pledge to you our commitment to best serve our families as we build our 700 plus home, 50 year plan." Hunt Pinnacle, the owners of Hanscom's privatized housing took over the project in November of 2008. "We're excited to begin the work of delivering quality homes to our residents," said Kelley Casey, The Landings at Hanscom community director. The scope of the project includes the delivery by Hunt Pinnacle of 177 new homes to Hanscom residents. "These homes will reflect the special life style needs of the military, with features that will rival those found in the local community," Ms. Casey said. "All of the floor plans have three or four bedrooms, which exceeds the two-plus bedroom Air Force minimum requirement." New homes at Hanscom will be a combination of single family, duplex, and fourplex buildings. The new homes will be constructed in the Patriot Village, Battle Road Glen and Musket Meadow neighborhoods. The Landings at Hanscom will complete 88 of the in-progress homes in Musket Meadows and Battle Road Glen. These homes are in various stages of completion ranging from approximately 70 percent to 95 percent. All of these homes will have a similar design with Musket Meadows expected to be completed this summer and Battle Road Glen expected to be complete by Christmas. In addition to the construction of new homes, Hunt Pinnacle will renovate 353 homes in the Patriot Village and Flintlock Ridge neighborhoods. "These renovations will make quality of life improvements to the homes," Ms. Casey said. The renovations will consist of 213 minor renovations in the Flintlock Ridge neighborhood, 49 moderate renovations in the Patriot Village neighborhood, and the conversion of 182 two-bedroom, adjoined homes in Flintlock Ridge into 91 spacious, livable homes "We want our residents to know that we will do everything we can to minimize the disruptions to their lives," Ms. Kelley said. "At the same time we ask for everyone's patience and cooperation through the construction phase of this project, at the end our residents will have the quality homes that they deserve to call home." To assist in answering residents' questions regarding the construction and renovation of homes below are answers to some of the commonly asked questions related to the construction process. For more information visit The Landings at Hanscom Offices at their new location at 101 North Bridge Road or call them at 781-861-5062. Housing Privatization Construction Process Frequently Asked Questions Q: How will I know if I am in an upcoming phase of work? How much notice will I get? A: Residents will receive a letter at least 60 days, per their Tenant Lease, prior that their neighborhood is in an upcoming construction phase. Included with the letter will be a Move Questionnaire to gather information related to the resident's respective rank, number of dependents and whether the resident anticipates a Permanent Change of Station move in the future. For the next step, Hunt Pinnacle will contact each family within the phase and make housing offers. Coinciding with the offer of a home, each respective family will receive a Notification of Move letter with a specific date when they should move from their existing home. Q: After I receive my Questionnaire, what do I do first? A: Residents should complete the Move Questionnaire and return it to Hunt Pinnacle in the prescribed time. Hunt Pinnacle will work with each family to provide offers for their next home and identify a specific time frame for the move to occur. Q: Will I be offered a home with the same number of bedrooms for which I am eligible? A: HP will do their best to offer the same bedroom size unit that residents are eligible, but this may be limited based on what homes are vacant and available at the time each phase begins, when the offers are made, and what homes other residents on the list may select. Availability will change monthly, even weekly, as new units are constructed, old units are torn down, families PCS into or out of housing, so forecasting in detail too far out in advance of construction work is not possible. That is why Hunt Pinnacle leasing agents will work one-on-one with each respective family. Q: If I move into a smaller unit will I be eligible for storage? A: Yes, You will be eligible for storage at Government expense. All requests for storage must be made within 30 days of the day your household goods were delivered to new home. You will need to bring a list of items you want in storage to the government housing office located in building 1217. They will generate the orders needed for JPPSO to pick up the items. Keep in mind that you will not have access to the items until you PCS, move out of base housing, or move into a bigger unit. Q: Will I be moving into a new construction unit? A: Not all residents will move into a new unit. Hunt is constructing new homes as well as doing moderate and minor renovations in certain homes. Q: Can I get on the wait list for new housing only? A: No unfortunately there are no preferences on the wait list; whatever homes are available when you have to move is what will be offered. Q: Once I am offered a unit, and I accept it, how do I arrange for the move? Who is responsible to pay for the move? A: Hunt Pinnacle will provide residents with the appropriate paperwork to bring to the Government Housing Office, Bldg. 1217, (781) 377-4590, who will provide orders for a government-paid move. The resident will then bring those orders to JPPSO to have their move dates arranged within the time frame established. JPPSO is also located in Bldg 1217. Q: What if I am notified that I have to move into a new unit but I am expecting PCS orders in a few months, do I still have to move? Can I have my household goods packed early and find temporary living arrangements? A: These types of circumstances will need to be coordinated on a case by case basis with Hunt Pinnacle. Hunt Pinnacle requires at least a 30-day notice of intent to vacate quarters, but you should notify them as soon as you receive orders to work out these details. Q: Will I move into a certain designated rank neighborhood? A: Hunt Pinnacle will do their best to try and keep rank conformity within the neighborhoods. This might not always be the case when trying to accommodate family needs. Q: What if I don't like the housing offers I get? Can I break my lease? A: If you are offered the same bedroom size that you are currently eligible, then you will not have the option to break your Tenant Lease, unless you have already fulfilled your one-year tenancy requirement in which case you may always provide Hunt Pinnacle a 30-day Notice of Intent to Vacate form. If Hunt Pinnacle does not have an adequate inventory of homes available at the time to make you an offer in the same bedroom size that you are eligible, then you have the option to waive down to a smaller bedroom size or to break your lease. Hunt Pinnacle will do their best to accommodate every families needs when arranging these offers and moves. Q: When I am asked to move out of my current home and into a different unit, what is the cleaning criterion to move out of my existing unit? A: This depends on whether your unit is going to be demolished or renovated so some residents may need to do more than others when clearing their quarters. At a minimum you will be required to give a good sweep, clean the kitchen appliances, sanitize the bathrooms, and ensure that there are no household goods left behind. Q: Once I am established in my new home will I have to move again? A: Although it is Hunt Pinnacle's goal to move a family only one time, there is a possibility that some families may have to move again due to construction phasing. Q: Will I have to sign a new lease when I move into another unit? A: Yes, in order to reflect your new address each resident will be required to sign a one year lease. Q: If I choose to waive down to a unit of a lesser category or number of bedrooms than what I am eligible, can I go back on the wait list for a larger unit? A: If you choose to waive into a new unit that does not match the category or number of bedrooms that you are eligible, then you will be required to wait one year before you may put your name on the wait list for the category or number of bedrooms you are eligible but the move will be at your expense. Paid moves will only be for construction related moves not a voluntary move by the family. Q: I am part of the Other Eligible Tenants; will I be eligible for the same entitlements as a referred tenant? A: If you are Other Eligible tenant, you are not entitled a move at government expense. Hunt Pinnacle will explain your options if you have to move due to construction phasing. Q: Is PDLA, Partial Dislocation Allowance, authorized? A: No. Partial Dislocation Allowance is not authorized in conjunction with moves in privatized housing because ownership of the homes has been conveyed to Hunt Pinnacle and is no longer "provided by the United States", as required by Title 37, Section 407 of the United States Code.