Marine Corp Veteran Receives A Free Home For A Year from Christopher Todd Communities

The ASU Thunderbird Student Served in Iraq and Afghanistan

Surprise, Ariz. (March 2, 2018) — Jonathan Hancock, a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been given a new lease on life – in more ways than one. From war-torn countries to now a full-time student at Arizona State University. The part in between is where life got complicated.

Hancock, a United States Marine Corps veteran, experienced the horrors of war. More than a quarter of the soldiers he served with were wounded or killed. He saw the worst of the worst. And, it impacted him. In a very bad way. He was back in his home state of Maryland when the hauntings of war overcame him and he headed down a dark and spiraling path – until he hit rock bottom emotionally and physically. While at the Baltimore Veterans Administration hospital he saw a man on TV who had walked across the country. “I knew I had to do something like that,” he recalls. One problem. He weighed 308 pounds – not ideal. “For the next ten months I lost a significant amount of weight and developed my plan,” he said.

His zigzag journey took him to his fellow Marine veteran brothers and the Gold Star families of those with whom he served, but who had been killed. He walked. And he walked. 5807 miles in total.

Today he remains on a healthy path. He arrived in Arizona in August 2017, after first starting his post-service college track in Maryland, studying Arabic and Russian. A new state, a new college major at Thunderbird School of Global Management, a new direction in life. That brought him to an intriguing opportunity.

Christopher Todd Communities, a Phoenix developer of innovative single-family home rental communities, believes in providing a helping hand up to one person or one family at a time. The company created a non-profit foundation called A New Lease on Life™ through which it conducts that outreach.

In the inaugural program, Christopher Todd Communities partnered with The Veterans Directory, a non-profit of veterans helping veterans make a successful transition into civilian life. Through The Veterans Directory outreach and vetting process, Christopher Todd Communities had an application process through which veterans could submit an essay on why they deserved a free home for a year, followed by up to two years of reduced rent. “It was an incredibly humbling process to read the stories of so many veterans who proudly served our country. Their sacrifices were enormous,” said Todd Wood, CEO of Christopher Todd Communities. A panel of community and civic leaders, along with Christopher Todd Communities leadership, ultimately selected three finalists who were invited in for an in-person interview. Only one – for now – would be selected, but more to come as the company continues to expand.

Hancock is being given a one-bedroom home with private backyard rent free for a year, followed by two years of reduced rent, if he chooses to stay. Included in his gift is the most robust technology package offered in multi-family living, including internet with 1000/1000 mbps speed, DirectTV, plus smart home technology controlled from a smart phone or tablet including a door bell camera and door lock, climate control, along with an Amazon Firestick and Dot so it all ties together with voice activation. This home is in a new gated community called Christopher Todd Communities On Greenway, located at Greenway and Litchfield Roads in Surprise. The pet-friendly community is an alternative to traditional apartment living, with one-and two-bedroom homes with enclosed backyards, resort-style pool and spa, event lawn and professionally managed events to foster resident connections.

“One thing we really appreciated about Jonathan’s story is his honesty about some of his life choices which came with heavy consequences. We believe in the good in people. We are fortunate to be in a position to offer a helping hand up, and we hope this aids him be the best person and the best student he can be. We are very proud to play a small part in his continuing journey,” said Wood.

And there will be additional opportunities for veterans like Jonathan. Christopher Todd Communities will be opening its second innovative rental home community, located at 99th Avenue and Lower Buckeye in Phoenix this Fall and another veteran will get a free rental home for a year followed by two years of reduced rent. Many more communities are in the pipeline.

To be considered the honorably discharged veteran, must have served post 9-11 and supported one of the active war campaigns. Also considered will be the spouse of a service member killed in action or missing in action during the same period and scope. Additional information is available at www.theveteransdiretory.org.

About Christopher Todd Communities
Christopher Todd Communities is a new Arizona-based real estate development company with a specific, unique niche in horizontal multi-family communities. Unlike typical vertical apartment complexes of two- or more stories, Christopher Todd Communities creates technology-forward, luxury, single- family home rental communities with a gated entrance. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona the company is founded on the principles of creating innovative neighborhoods of distinction while investing in the community to provide a hand up to those in need. The company was founded by Arizona entrepreneur Todd Wood.