Connecticut House Passes Enhanced Damaged Foundation Legislation

NORTH-CENTRAL CT — The state House of Representatives took further action on the north-centrtal and eastrern Connecticut crumbling foundation epidemic on Thursday with the passage of House Bill 5969, a measure allowing for homeowners with damaged concrete foundations to obtain low-interest loans for repairs or replacement.

The vote was 131-7.

The legislation is designed to provide additional financial aid to property owners struggling with the costs to repair concrete foundations compromised due to the presence of pyrrhotite.

As chair of the legislature’s Crumbling Concrete Caucus, Rep. Luxenberg (D-Manchester) hailed the move.

"Many homeowners in eastern Connecticut have experienced serious financial consequences because of failing concrete foundations, so I am happy we are moving to make these loans available," Luxenberg said. "Enabling homeowners to complete repairs will protect their investment and maintain property values in Manchester and other area towns. I want to thank my fellow co-sponsors for their support in ushering this legislation through the House. I look forward to its approval in the Senate and fully expect the governor will sign the measure into law."

HB 5969 allows affected property owners, who have reached the maximum $175,000 in financial assistance through the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Corporation, to apply for low-interest loans to complete repairs.

In Connecticut, there are about 35,000 instances of deteriorating or failing concrete foundations due to pyrrhotite. Once the problem is identified, construction experts must then determine if the foundation can be repaired or if it must be replaced. The estimated costs range from $150,000 to $200,000 or more.