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Housing issues affect everyone in Connecticut, from those who are searching for a safe place to live, to those who may find it increasingly difficult to afford a place they already call home.WNPR is covering Connecticut's housing and homelessness issues in a series that examines how residents are handling the challenges they face. We look at the trends that matter most right now, and tell stories that help bring the issues to light.

Eastern Connecticut Lawmakers: Crumbling Foundations Must Not Be Forgotten

Mary Anne Williams

Homeowners whose houses are suffering from crumbling foundations say their plight must not be forgotten in the midst of the state's budget crisis. About 500 homes, mostly in the east of the state have been identified as suffering from the problem, which stems from a corrosive mineral mixed into the concrete. But tens of thousands of homes may eventually be affected. 

Steven Werbner, the town manager of Tolland, said the problem will only get worse if the state doesn’t act quickly.

"There are only so many homes that can be repaired in the course of any one year. If we allow this problem to accumulate to the point in time where we have 500, 700, 800, 1,000 homes, it won't be possible to make the corrective actions necessary in any sort of organized fashion," Webner said.

The Capital Region Council of Governments has asked for a comprehensive testing program to discover the true extent of the issue, and the establishment of a state relief fund to offer financial assistance for homeowners.

State Representative Tom Delnicki from South Windsor pointed out the potential risk to the banking industry statewide if homeowners decide to walk away from mortgage payments on now-worthless homes. "This is a problem that the legislature needs to take action on, in some form, this year," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Taxpayer Advocate has sent a request to the IRS that homeowners suffering from crumbling foundations be allowed to apply for federal tax relief.

The work to remediate the foundations could cost at least $150,000 per home, and is not covered by homeowners insurance.

Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson gave testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Friday.

"'I've been aware of this problem, and had my staff attorneys meet with chief counsel attorneys of the IRS to look at the law pertaining to casualty loss deductions and how it could apply in this instance," she said. "Just this week we submitted, to the IRS chief counsel, a request for priority guidance -- that they put this issue on their priority guidance plan."

Olson was responding to a request from Connecticut Representatives John Larson and Joe Courtney.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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