‘Big Impact’ – Massachusetts Homeowners Face “Worthless” Properties From Crumbling Foundation Crisis
Boston – Massachusetts homeowners are appealing to legislators to assist in preserving their homes since they claim the foundations of their buildings are collapsing.
“Concrete is now able to be removed with your naked hand”
Member of Massachusetts Residents Against Crumbling Concrete Cynthia Poirer stated, “My home is devastated to the point where concrete is now able to be removed with your naked hand.”
The organisation has discovered that the foundation of their home is tainted with pyrrhotite, a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in some areas of the Commonwealth and which eventually causes concrete to crumble. They are horrified and are pleading with the authorities to take action.
“It’s due to a natural mineral when over years combined with moisture makes foundation crumbles and your home is worthless,” Ernest Gagnon, the homeowner, said.
Homeowners Find Themselves Stuck
Because insurance won’t pay for it and banks won’t lend money to cover the expense of the work, homeowners like Michelle Loglisci are stranded. Repairs costing hundreds of thousands of dollars are left to the people.
“After this much time of putting your life on hold because you can’t move, you can’t sell, you cannot make decisions for your life, you get impatient,” said Loglisci.
A Bill to Assist With Paying For Repairs
Residents attempted to persuade legislators to back a house amendment to the Affordable Homes Act, which supporters anticipate being filed in the upcoming weeks, by meeting with them at the State House on Monday.
Senator Ryan Fattman of the state is a major proponent of a bill that would create a programme akin to the one that exists in Connecticut to assist homeowners in covering the cost of repairs.
“That is the primary method by which we can establish a statewide programme such to the one implemented in Connecticut when a fee was added to homeowners insurance and the proceeds were subsequently allocated to a fund to finance the replacement of foundations for homes with this type of pyrrhotite disintegrating foundation. And that’s our goal in this situation,” stated State Senator Fattman.
To stop the spread, the state now requires quarries to test their product for pyrrhotite. But these homeowners are in dire need of assistance.
“I am happy with the fact they are listening to us and willing to go forward, but I would be happier with votes in our favour,” Poirier stated.
The modification is anticipated to be filed in the upcoming weeks, according to homeowners.