frequently asked questions

WHAT IS GOING ON?

In May 2020, Fellowship Square started construction on a new building to replace Lake Anne I and II. The construction of the new building will be complete in June 2022. Following relocation, the original Lake Anne Fellowship House will be demolished and the land cleared for future town homes. WHO IS DOING IT? Fellowship selected Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC), a Silver Spring-based nonprofit affordable housing developer, as its development partner. CPDC is now called Enterprise Community Development.

WHY IS THIS PROJECT HAPPENING?

Lake Anne I and II were built in the 1970s and need major renovations. After an extensive period of analysis, the team determined that it would be much more expensive and disruptive to the residents to renovate.

WHAT WILL THE NEW BUILDING HAVE THAT THIS BUILDING DOESN'T HAVE?

The new building will be state of the art and will include indoor parking, a management office, a social service office, a large lounge, a wellness center for visiting medical professionals, a game room, a sunroom, an arts and crafts room, a secure package room, and a large outdoor plaza with raised garden beds and passive activity space. The units will be brand new, well-designed, and energy efficient. The building will have 54 handicap-accessible units.

WILL THE WORK AFFECT OUR EXISTING BUILDING?

There will be noise, dust, vibrations, and traffic during construction. We will work to make sure your quality of life is not impacted beyond what is typical for construction. The existing building will not be damaged by construction.

CAN I WALK BEHIND THE SITE TO BARON CAMERON?

No. Heavy construction, trench digging, and the installation of new electrical power will occur here. It will not be safe.

CAN I GO ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE? WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF WORK?

No, it is not safe to be anywhere within the construction fencing. The job hours will generally be 7:00AM - 4:00PM, Monday - Friday. Saturdays will be closed unless needed.

WHO DO I CALL IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CONSTRUCTION?

Please contact property management first. If they cannot answer you, you can contact Matt Engel at Enterprise Community Development using the Contact form on this website or by phone (202-302-4372).

HOW AND WHEN WILL I BE ASSIGNED TO MY NEW UNIT?

This will occur in 2021. We will share floor plans with you in advance. Units will be assigned based on physical requirements and how long you've lived at Lake Anne Fellowship House. We will interview and survey residents to get a sense of their needs and preferences prior to assigning units, but length of residency will be the driving factor (after need for an accessible unit).

WILL I GET HELP MOVING TO MY NEW UNIT?

In 2022, we will provide movers to move your belongings into the new units at no cost to you. In advance of the actual move, we will provide trainings to help you prepare for your move and we will meet with every resident to understand each household's unique needs. Packing help will be available for those who need it. You will be provided with ample notice, and we will help you to change your address on all necessary accounts.

WILL THERE STILL BE RESIDENT SERVICES?

Yes, Lake Anne House residents will still benefit from comprehensive resident services provided by Enterprise's Community Impact Strategies team, including onsite resident services staff. Residents can continue to expect programming that covers a wide range of topics and takes advantage of the new building's many amenity spaces.

WILL I HAVE TO START PAYING UTILITIES?

Residents will have to begin paying for electricity once they move. The relocation team will help all residents establish utility accounts, regardless of credit or other concerns. The building will have all-LED lighting and highly efficient heating and cooling systems, with the intent of keep electricity costs down. Additionally, the expected cost of utilities is backed out of rent, meaning that residents still shouldn't be paying more than 30% of their income towards rent and utilities combined.

WHAT ARE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND HOW DO I GET THEM?

If you are hoping to live in a two-bedroom unit or in a UFAS/accessible unit, you will need to reach out to FCRHA in order to have them make a determination of eligibility. For a two-bedroom unit, this will mean there is more than one person in your household and you do not share a bedroom. There are a wide-range of reasons one might be eligible for a UFAS/accessible unit, including mobility or vision issues. Reach out to property management so that they can connect you to the right people at FCRHA.

HOW MANY PARKING SPACES WILL THERE BE?

The new building will have 87 parking spaces, including one-for-one replacement of all existing assigned spaces plus 11 additional spaces to be used for a combination of residents and guests. There will be 6 handicapped spaces, 4 in the garage and 2 outside. At least two spaces will have electrical vehicle charging systems.

HOW WILL I GET RID OF ITEMS I DON'T WANT TO MOVE WITH ME?

We will have multiple ways to help you dispose of unwanted items ahead of the move. First, property management is providing bins now to help you thin out your storage rooms. Second, you will be able to leave large pieces of furniture in the unit as you go, so long as it isn't an electronic device (ie no appliances, tvs). Finally, closer to when moves are set to begin, we will have dumpsters on site and engage crews of people to help you bring unwanted items to these dumpsters.

WHAT ARE THE UNIT FEATURES?

All units will come with kitchen appliances, including microwaves and dishwashers, as well as a full-height pantry cupboard. Units will have blinds in every window. Bathrooms will be equipped for grab bars to help residents get in-and-out of the tub or shower. Flooring will be a combination of tile in the bathrooms and LVT in the living room, kitchen, and bedroom. All rooms will have overhead lights already installed, and lots of outlets, plus cable/internet hook-ups in the living room and bedroom. Not all units will have walk-in-closets, but every unit has at least a pantry cupboard, coat closet in the entry, and a bedroom closet. Many but not all units will have juliet balconies with sliding doors. The building's structure is concrete and steel, so you should not hear neighbors above you. 

WHERE WILL I DO LAUNDRY AND THROW OUT MY TRASH?

Every floor will have trash chutes and a laundry room with multiple sets of washing machines and dryers. Two floors in the building will have bulk-machines for larger items like large blankets and comforters.