Connecticut Governor Wants To Allocate $5M To Test Failing Founcations
Jan. 24--Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced that he plans to allocate $5 million in state funding for testing and visual inspections of failing concrete foundations.
Malloy said the $5 million will be placed on the agenda of an upcoming State Bond Commission meeting as part of the state's efforts to assist the more than 450 homeowners with failing foundations.
"It is vital that local, state, and federal government -- along with private sector partners -- work together to both understand the scope of this problem, and to help those whose homes are affected," Malloy said.
Malloy has said as many as 34,130 homes in the region are at risk for failing foundations. More than 450 homeowners in 23 towns have filed complaints with the state Department of Consumer Protection alleging that their concrete foundations are failing, according to state reports.
According to a state report in early January, a mineral known as pyrrhotite was present in the concrete aggregate used for the foundations that are now crumbling, and was partly to blame, as was the amount of water used in installation.
Insurance companies have denied homeowners' claims, saying the problem does not qualify for coverage under their definition of "collapse," leaving homeowners to bear the burden of a costly foundation replacement. The bill to replace a foundation can be as much as $200,000.
"Providing financial assistance for the testing of foundations in these communities is a first logical step. It will help us better inform our federal partners about the scope of the situation and garner their support for additional aide," Malloy said. "Today's announcement does not represent the totality of the state's assistance for affected homeowners -- we will remain at the table with homeowners and other partners as work continues."
The report indicated that Stafford Springs company J.J. Mottes had poured most of the affected foundations. Testing will cover homes built since 1983 within a 20-mile radius of the company.
Mottes is no longer in business, but the company previously stated they believed it was an installation issue and wanted a solution to be found for homeowners.
Under the $5 million assistance program, homeowners will be eligible to get a 50 percent reimbursement up to $2,000 for testing core samples. Homeowners who spend money on a visual test by a licensed professional engineer will be reimbursed 100 percent up to $400.
The potential funding, Malloy announced Monday, would be joined by $1 million in federal block grants through the state Department of Housing to further offset the costs of core testing.
The Department of Housing announced Monday that the grants would be available later in the year and would be open to all applicants, but homeowners with low and moderate-incomes will be prioritized.
Monday's announcement is the latest in a series of proposals to help victims, including legislation this session that would establish insurance coverage for future homeowners and ban the use of concrete containing pyrrhotite in foundations.
Tim Heim, president of the Connecticut Coalition Against Crumbling Basements, said it was an imperfect step in the right direction for victims.
"The reimbursement for the engineering report will help the people who can't afford it now, but that core sampling money needs to help the victims whose homes are condemned or close to being condemned," Heim said.
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