Family of 20 determined to keep condemned home

Scranton Times-Tribune ^ | 8/15/03 | Andrew Scott

[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."

[LuLuLuLu]

Am I really the only one who actually READ the article?

"...We're just having a tough time because we're low income."

Got that?! They're LOW INCOME! Check any apologists dictionary and you'll find that personal responsibility goes out the window when one is low income.

</sarcasm>

[Lijahsbubbe]

Yep, yep. We had an immigrant Hmong family featured in a Mpls/St. Paul paper. Habitat got them a home in a very nice suburb. They remarked in the article about how glad they were to be moving from the area I live in. Ha. Guess it wasn't good enough for them.

[Lijahsbubbe]

I am just sooooooooo tired of losing 50% of my income to deadbeats

Just wonder what kind of welfare assistance a hard working taxpayer would get if they were in a bind and still had a job. After years of supporting everyone else, bet they wouldn't offer a hand out for us.

[Eaker]

Just wonder what kind of welfare assistance a hard working taxpayer would get if they were in a bind and still had a job. After years of supporting everyone else, bet they wouldn't offer a hand out for us.

Not even a loan!!!!!!!

[novacation]

At least he has money to get tatoos.Some people shouldn't reproduce. That local welfare office is writing a big check.They need another hobby.Hasn't she ever heard of that little bird called a swallow?

[Lijahsbubbe]

Maybe they'd let us in the cheese line!

[lilmsdangrus]

As I read this, I remember my dad telling me once when I was just a teenager- "with some people its an attitude- you could give them a million dollars, they'd spend it all in two wks, and within a year be living exactly the same way" (I noticed some people in our neighborhood who just never cleaned up their act, and passed it on to their children) Boy, the older I get I sure realize how smart my dad was!

[Born Conservative]

UPDATE: This story surfaced again on the Kevin Lynn Show, a local radio call in show when Ozzie Quinn, director of the local Habitat for Humanity, called in. I was at work and did not hear his call, but Kevin discussed it later in the show, and said that Ozzie has no problem with continuing to help this family; they (H for H)are seeking $20,000 in donations to repair the house so that it is liveable(again, I didn't hear the phone call). Kevin has nicknamed the family the "Rabbit Family".

A neighbor of the Rabbit family called in (I did hear this call), and said that she passes the house 4-5 times a week, and often sees daddy rabbit out on the porch smoking (keep in mind that he is on disability for a "heart condition").

[Lijahsbubbe]

Thanks for the update. And H for H wants to pour more money down this toilet? What's wrong with people?

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I know that they need money to make the house liveable again, but aren't they the ones who made it unlivable?

And what's the price for a pack of cigarettes these days?

[sockmonkey]

Found this on the web:

Monday, August 18, 6:15 p.m.
By Danielle Schlesier
Volunteers Clean Out Condemned House

Donations are pouring in for a family of 20, kicked out of a home renovated by volunteers. The story started last week when Scranton condemned the Habitat for Humanity home. City inspectors blame the Smith family for damaging the home. The story generated anger and disbelief last week. On Monday Newswatch 16 found others willing to help.

A clean up crew emptied the house on North Main Avenue in Scranton, tossing everything in a dumpster . Habitat for Humanity is paying for the clean up at the condemned house. The city calls the place unsafe, three years after Habitat volunteers fixed it up for the Smiths; a family of 20.

Habitat for Humanity helps families in need own homes. City inspectors say the Smiths trashed the place and didn't pay utility bills. "They definitely deserve another chance," said neighbor Cindy Darienzo. She vowed to help; she's collecting furniture and other items. "Once the house is cleaned up we're going to go in with all the donations and we're going to help fix it up with them. They're a loving family and they do for everybody," added Darienzo.

"I received an e-mail all the way from Erie to help pay the utility bills that the Smiths owe and donations for furniture, paint, volunteers. There is a silent majority that wants to help," said Scranton's Habitat for Humanity Director Ozzie Quinn.

Habitat for Humanity says the clean up is the only thing it will pay for but the group promises other help. "You just can't leave a family on the street. We're not going to use any more Habitat money to fix that property up but we may send volunteers out there," added Quinn.

Habitat will provide the Smiths with a family support counselor, a person who will help teach skills for home ownership; such things as paying bills. Right now the Smiths are staying with relatives.

[visualops]

If those people trashed it before, they'll trash it again unless those volunteers intend to babysit that entire family.
What a waste.

[Born Conservative]

This is unbelievable! Anyone who gives anything more to the Rabbit Family is in desperate need of a psychiatric exam.

[KantianBurke]

Any other info come out on the radio?

[lilmsdangrus]

*sigh* just damn.

[sockmonkey]

*** If those people trashed it before, they'll trash it again unless those volunteers intend to babysit that entire family. ***

From a Scranton Times article:
Ozzie Quinn, director of Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County, said he was upset he wasn't kept informed of what was going on at the Smith house by either the Smiths or agencies that frequented the home, like Children and Youth.

"I do not condone what they did, but at the same time I think a lot of groups should take the blame, and I'm not passing the buck here. We should, too,"

Oh, I just love this communal blame angle-it's so 70's.

[HamiltonJay]

which were $123 a month, he said. YOu have 15 Children at home, some as old as 21 and you couldn't as a family find another $123 a month? Jeez!!! any 13 year old can make that mowing a few lawns a month... I don't know the entire story, but it seems to me that they have at least 3-4 kids living at home of working age, definately should be able to find another $125 a month.

[willieroe]

"I do not condone what they did, but at the same time I think a lot of groups should take the blame, and I'm not passing the buck here. We should, too."

Obviously, Jimmy Carter needs to go to Scranton and begin an investigation to assess the blame.

[Born Conservative]

Unfortunately, I only get to hear the program on my way home from work, which is after 4:30; the program starts at 3pm, so I miss most of it. If I hear any more, I'll be sure to post it.

[LibWhacker]

Thanks for the updates.

Right now the Smiths are staying with relatives.

Wow, 40 slobs in a two-bedroom apartment . . . Cozy.