Posted on 08/15/2003 5:03:16 PM PDT by Born Conservative
A North Scranton family with 18 children is determined to keep their Habitat for Humanity home, which was declared unfit for human habitation last month.
The city condemned the 2517 N. Main Ave. home of Charles and Barbara Smith on July 29 for debris outside and inside the house, and because the Scranton Sewer Authority shut off the water on July 24, said Bill Fiorini, director of permits, inspections and licensing.
Mr. Smith, who said the city should have let his family stay in the house while they correct the violations, said they have until October to fix the problems or else they will lose the house.
The Smiths and 14 of their children, ages 3 to 21, are staying several blocks away at the home of one of their older sons, Mr. Smith said.
Habitat for Humanity, which renovates abandoned houses into affordable homes for first-time, low-income owners, bought and fixed up the North Main Avenue duplex for the Smiths, converting it into a single-family home with 10 bedrooms and three bathrooms. In March 2000, the family moved in.
As the largest biological family ever to obtain a house through Habitat for Humanity, the Smiths were featured in the Sunday New York Times as well as on the ABC-TV newsmagazine "20/20."
But the family, relying solely on Mrs. Smith's income as a housekeeper, fell behind on their sewer payments by 13 months, owing $1,600 to the Scranton Sewer Authority, Mr. Smith said Thursday afternoon. As a result, their water was shut off.
A former auto mechanic, Mr. Smith said he is no longer able to work because of heart problems. The family kept up on their $115-a-month mortgage payments and other utility bills, but those and other expenses left no money for sewer payments, which were $123 a month, he said.
"We busted our humps to get that house through Habitat," Mr. Smith said. "Whatever it takes, we're getting back into that house. We don't want people making us out to be a bad family just because we're having a hard time maintaining our house. We're decent people. We're just having a tough time because we're low income."
Mr. Smith said the violations include some damaged light bulb fixtures, which he said he tried to repair, and a missing electrical junction box lid in the laundry room, which he said he replaced. He said other violations included missing ceiling tiles in the pool table room, which he said he took down after his children damaged them with pool sticks.
Habitat director Ozzie Quinn said his agency and Lackawanna County Children and Youth Services support keeping the family in their home.
Children and Youth caseworker Kerry Kimmick said her agency deemed the home habitable for children during its last visit there, but said she couldn't recall when the last visit took place. Ms. Kimmick said the agency has not visited the home since it was condemned. And without a copy of the list of code violations, Children and Youth cannot determine if the house is still fit for children, she said.
"The city should have notified us before condemning the house," Mr. Quinn said. "Had we known ahead of time, we could have tried to prevent this."
Mr. Fiorini said the city did not notify Habitat because the Smiths own the home, even though the Smiths make mortgage payments to Habitat.
"The family didn't let us know they were having problems keeping up on the utility payments. Otherwise, we would have tried to help," Mr. Quinn said.
"We didn't let anyone know because we don't like going to others for help unless it's absolutely necessary," Mr. Smith said. "We don't like being thought of as one of those families who take assistance they don't really need."
It is not like that. He is just particularly proud of his son's understanding of the capitalist system which must be allowed to flourish. I was not trying to steal your thunder or pride in your granddaughter. Just giving a friend an appropriate forum on which to pontificate on his pride.
Why do all the children have 2 names, and what the heck is a Feedhead, Pie, Gaga, Kooter, Bighead, and Puggy?
Looks like papa blew all his money on tattoos.
Have they no honor, no self-respect?
Yes, I meant that if it costs very little in effort to obtain, then the value is very little.
Good point, C.
Tattoos are expensive!
You answered your own question.
I live in a modist 4 bedroom home. There is no way that I could afford a 10 bedroom house. Especially one with a "pool room". I know you don't have a 10 bedroom pad either. A beautiful home, but not 10 bedrooms.
Guess that makes us trash.
;<)
Keep the Erica Storm away from Houson, okay!!!!
Ya know, it's funny about people who live on the dole.
They can completely smother those feelings so that their actions are justified.
"You've got it........I want it.....therefore, it should belong to me."
We're in good company then! :-)
My monthly payments are considerably more than $115.00 and I would never dream of knocking holes in the wall, or spraying graffitti. Sheesh
Keep the Erica Storm away from Houson, okay!!!!
I'm trying Eaker, I'm trying. You would not believe the razzing I've been getting today. LOL. I wonder if I can complain to our Representative from Mars and get the name changed? ;-)
"You've got it........I want it.....therefore, it should belong to me."
And that comment there is the reason that so much has slid into the sesspool...including that house.
Mom and I agree....Hell....I'm even proposing a toast to US Psychos!
Stay tuned for the Honda 1100 to soon be in my garage!
I thought he was a former auto mechanic??
I think that's an important lesson to teach a young child. She's probably going to be ok for the rest of her life.
Who knows. This family's story changes so fast that I get dizzy.
And I really have my doubts about a auto mechanic being out of a job. Even if he is sick, (and I have my doubts) he can work a 4 hour day to generate some income.
Who knows. This family's story changes so fast that I get dizzy.
You're not kidding. In another local article about the family, the dad admits to owing $4,000 in light bills in addition to the $1,600 in sewer bills.
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