Connecticut's Crumbling Homes Give Residents Sinking Feeling

Hundreds, if not thousands, of Connecticut residents are literally having a sinking feeling as their homes are crumbling and they’re powerless to remedy the problem, the New York Times reports in an in-depth investigative piece.

The report written by Kristen Hussey and Lisa W. Foderaro entitled With Connecticut Foundations Crumbling, ‘Your Home is Now Worthless’ details the plight of numerous residents who are being forced out of their once believed-to-be dream homes because they aren’t safe anymore.

In 20 towns, primarily in northeast Connecticut, potentially thousands of residents are dealing with severely cracked foundations, which have been traced back to one quarry business and a concrete maker, the New York Times reports. A company spokesman blames the issue on improper installation, not the materials.

The impact may be even more staggering as the quarry was used for 20,000 houses dating back 30 years.

The impacted residents tell the New York Times no one is helping them, including the insurance companies, which are refusing to pick up the tab — ranging between $100,000 to $200,000.

Impacted families also blame state officials, saying the alarm was sounded back in the early 2000s but nothing happened until a recent news report in Connecticut.

The state’s Consumer Protection Department is investigating if any wrongdoing has occurred and if any assistance can be provided to impacted residents.

Tim Heim, a homeowner, told the New York Times families just feel helpless.

“You can’t eat, you can’t sleep,” Heim said. “When you’re told your home is now worthless and your biggest investment is now worthless, it’s devastating.”

Read the full New York Times for much more on this story.