Fort Devens - On and Off Base Information

Fort Devens Housing Information

Fort Devens (Ft.) Housing and Information:

Housing Options

Fort Devens has no government housing. While stationed at Devens, housing is found in surrounding communities. The Relocation office will help you with your search to find appropriate, affordable housing. For information on how to find apartments and homes for rent or purchase, contact the ACS Office, at 978-796-3119; DSN 312-256-3119.

Government housing is available at Hanscom Air Force Base, located about 25 miles from Devens. Any active duty military, except active duty National Guardsmen, assigned within a one hour commute time of Hanscom AFB is placed on a consolidated first come, first serve listing, and offered housing as it becomes available. Contact Hanscom housing personnel for more information about getting on the waiting list prior to PCS move. You may contact the Hanscom AFB Base Housing office at 781-377-4590. You may also visit The Landings at Hanscom for more information.

There is some government housing available at Soldier Systems in Natick, MA , located 25 miles South East of Devens. You may reach the housing office at 508-233-4798.

If you choice not to live on Hanscom AFB, a listing of apartments and homes for rent and houses for sale in the area are available. Pick up a list of real estate agents in the area who can help you find an apartment or a house for rent or purchase, with a cost to fit your budget.

Very Important Rental Information: The initial cost for renting an apartment or home is expensive because most renters require first month rent, last month rent and a security deposit equal to one month rent, paid up front before occupying. School and other services in towns and city will vary on the location. Please contact your local town/city government to obtain local information.

Unaccompanied PCS

There is no housing for accompanied or unaccompanied service members on Devens. Single service members may live off past and draw single basic allowance for quarters. Call the ACS Relocation office, 978-796-3119, for current listings of off-post rental apartments and units.

Location

Welcome to the Fort Devens, New England's Village Green. Fort Devens' 82 year tradition of service to the nation lives on at Fort Devens. Apple orchards, quiet countryside, and a small town, rural atmosphere are all wonderful ways to describe the Fort Devens area. Excellent educational facilities, both public and private, provide families with a sound foundation for raising children. Exceptional health care is available in both area hospitals and clinics and in the nearby Boston area. Commuters to Boston find it a one hour drive or train ride from Fort Devens with commuter rail stops in adjacent towns.

We remain "New England's Training Site of Choice." Fort Devens is located in the Montachusett Region of north central Massachusetts, which is approximately 35 miles northwest of Boston off Route 2 and only 7 miles from I-495. The region is bordered by New Hampshire to the north, metropolitan Worcester to the south, Franklin County to the west and the Middlesex County to the east. Fort Devens lies in northern Worcester and western Middlesex counties surrounded by the towns of Ayer, Shirley, Lancaster, and Harvard.

The region is mostly rural residential, however, there are surrounding industrial centers in the cities of Worcester, Fitchburg, and Leominster. Fitchburg and Leominster comprise the largest communities in the region.Fort Devens includes approximately 5,220 acres. The remainder of the former Fort Devens has been transferred to the local reuse authority known as MassDevelopment, and other Federal agencies. These include the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Labor and Shriver Job Corps Center. Although, Fort Devens is a reserve installation, we partner with Hanscom AFB for many active duty functions, such as base housing, schools and family support services.   

Cost of Living: Devens is considered a high cost of living area. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is applicable. The further East on "Route 2", heading toward Boston, the higher the cost. The average cost of a house is $380,000.00. Apartments are expensive and rental houses are scarce. Both oil and gas prices for heating have risen over the past year. Fort Devens operator number is 978-796-3911.

Base Location

30 Quebec Street
Fort Devens, MA 01434