Homeowners with crumbling foundations are one step closer to getting state aid.
More than 700 homeowners have filed complaints with the state saying they have crumbling concrete basements. The state is responding by making millions of dollars available to help, but getting ahold of that aid money is going to be difficult.
It was an emotional morning on Saturday at Ellington High School. Hundreds of homeowners with crumbling concrete basements packed the auditorium to learn how they may qualify for an estimated $20 million in aid this coming fiscal year.
The man in charge of distributing the funds said there simply isn't enough money to tackle more than eight replacement projects in the first quarter. He asked the audience for suggestions.
A state investigation attributed the crumbling concrete crisis to a naturally occurring mineral contaminant in a local quarry. Many of the estimates to replace basements have exceeded $200 thousand.
"I just don't have that kind of cash on hand to be able to fix that, even if they gave me a portion of it, it would not be enough," said Hallie Westcott, of Manchester.
Westcott wants elected officials to place more pressure on FEMA and private insurance companies to step in.
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"If I can't get the funds to fix it and the house is not going to be habitable, then I can't stay there and I'll have to walk away," she said.
The Captive Insurance Company is hoping to begin accepting applications for aid as early as November 15 and is anticipating more money to become available.
