Fight for aid for crumbling foundations marches on
BOSTON (WWLP) – It's an issue that devastates communities across western and central Massachusetts–crumbling foundations. Advocates gathered at the State House once again to ask lawmakers for their help.
Crumbling concrete is caused by a mineral called pyrrhotite, and it puts homes at risk of collapse.
Affected homeowners lose their home equity, stability, and hundreds of thousands of dollars with no legal recourse or financial assistance from the state.
Monson resident Michelle Loglisci has been fighting for the Bay State to take action for almost a decade, since she discovered her own home was damaged. 'This is a much larger issue than just the individual homeowner. It's a community issue for sure,' said Loglisci.
Some homeowners spoke to the emotional component of learning that your home has no value, especially knowing that taxpayers across their towns will need to pick up the tab for their crumbling concrete.
'Like oh my god I fell for a fraud and I got duped. So you almost have this embarrassment to you,' said affected Charlton homeowner Keith Cloutier.
As of now, quarries could still be pouring flawed foundations that will crumble over the next few decades.
These advocates are also pushing for regulation to mandate concrete testing before this happens to anyone else.
'This isn't going away! This is a natural disaster that's going to last for the next 30+ years,' said Nick Pelletier, a member of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors and an advocate for the cause.
Some Connecticut homeowners are also facing this issue, but their state has set up a program to help them replace their damaged foundations. Crumbling foundations legislation has made it through the senate twice, but has never crossed the finish line into law.
Western Massachusetts lawmakers say they have high hopes that they will be able to pass a law to help their neighbors this session.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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