Federal Housing Restoration Program: Crumbling Foundations in Connecticut

Crumbling Foundation Crisis in Connecticut

• ⚠️ A significant problem of crumbling foundations, caused by aggregate concrete containing pyite, has affected homes across Connecticut, particularly those built in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.
• 🏠 For many homeowners, their home is their primary asset, and this foundation issue causes immense emotional distress and financial strain.
• 📉 The crisis has led to downward pressure on home values and made obtaining homeowners insurance difficult due to policy exclusions for gradual damage.

Federal and State Remediation Efforts

• 🏛️ Representatives John Larson and Joe Courtney have been instrumental in securing federal funding and advocating for solutions to address the crumbling foundation crisis.
• 💰 A $2 million federal appropriation was secured in 2024 to establish the Crumbling Foundation Remediation and Restoration Program, managed by the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRAG).
• 🛠️ This program, designed for low to moderate-income homeowners, provides gap funding of up to $32,000 to cover expenses not addressed by the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company (CFSIC) program, such as driveway and porch repairs.

The CFSIC Program and Its Impact

• ✅ The CFSIC program, led by Mike McGlaris, has been crucial in replacing foundations, with over 1,129 foundations replaced to date.
• 📈 CFSIC helps restore equity to homes, enables homeowners to obtain insurance, and ensures properties are accurately valued on tax rolls.
• 🤝 Collaboration between federal, state, and regional entities, including CRAG, CFSIC, and local representatives, is highlighted as essential for tackling this widespread issue.

A Homeowner's Perspective and Call to Action

• 🏡 The press briefing featured homeowner Mike Turk, whose home is one of the first to receive assistance from the new federal gap funding program.
• 🗣️ Speakers emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration among various government levels and organizations to support affected homeowners.
• 📢 Homeowners suspecting they have crumbling foundations are urged to get their homes tested and explore available programs, as these initiatives may not be available indefinitely. Information can be found on CRAG's website (crcog.org and crcog.gov).

Legislative Advocacy and Future Outlook

• 📜 Efforts have included advocating for IRS recognition of property casualty losses and ensuring CFSIC payments are not taxable to homeowners.
• 🌟 The federal intervention through the Crumbling Foundation Remediation and Restoration Program marks a significant victory and a hopeful step towards defeating this crisis.
• 🤝 The success of these programs is attributed to the dedication of elected officials, program administrators, and the collaborative spirit of the affected communities.