https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2023-07-27/a-forever-home-destroyed-in-barre-leaves-one-future-uncertain (includes audio link as originally broadcast)
Doug and Rhoda Mason, standing outside the home they've lived in for the past 41 years.
A 'forever home' destroyed in Barre leaves one future uncertain [actually, the future of a couple, at very least, my aunt and uncle...and their dog -TM]
Vermont Public | By Peter Hirschfeld Published July 27, 2023 at 5:00 AM EDT
Families across Vermont have been mucking out their basements and tearing out drywall to get their homes suitable for occupancy after the floods. For other people, there is no house to return to.
Doug and Rhoda Mason lost their home in Barre, and all their belongings, in a landslide that nearly killed them on July 11. And the couple, in their 70s, is trying to figure out how they’ll afford new housing on the social security benefits they subsist on.
Doug and Rhoda met each other in the 1970s, when they became co-workers at a Washington County nonprofit that served people with developmental disabilities. [Continues]
GoFundMe page set up by my cousin Devin, one of their kids:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-mason-family-get-back-on-their-feet
Devin on Facebook:
It has been a week filled with ups and downs since my last update.
First some positive news:
Because the house was a total loss, FEMA confirmed that my parents are eligible for the highest amount of benefit they can offer. While we were very grateful to hear this news, the reality is that even at its highest, the grant doesn't come close to being able to cover all the costs of the damage done, the things they lost, or to start over.
There has been a lot of talk of government buyouts of impacted properties as of late so we are hoping for the best. There is no chance of rebuilding on the site, so we are in a desperate hunt for a place for them to live in central Vermont. We are one of many families looking for a safe place to live, and with the housing crunch, opportunities are few and far between. Please continue to send all leads on apartments my way. I'm following up on every single one.
Yesterday, we were alerted by the City of Barre that they would help us tear down the house. While this was welcome news, it also created a lot of questions related to funds/benefits my parents would be eligible for, namely, a buyout of the property, if this action was taken. Making things even more tense, we had to make the decision on about a half a day's notice. Emotions ran high throughout the day as we tried to make an extremely difficult decision.
Ultimately, we have decided to take them up on the offer to tear the house down. After many anxiety-ridden calls with various representatives from different departments within the state government, we feel this is the best option. We are hoping against hope that everything works in our favor.
As so many in our community understand, there are many people trying their best to help, but very few solid answers.
Knowing that, we continue to move forward with bringing attention to my parent's story, not only for their benefit, but also so others might be able to avoid what they have gone through. From what to watch for related to a potential landslide, to how to navigate after a disaster, my family and I are doing everything we can to share our experience with others.
For those, like us, who need help - please feel free to connect with me and I am happy to share what is working, what isn't, and how we are navigating this very difficult time.
So what's next?
We continue to fundraise as we navigate the next steps of this journey.
If you want to help, consider sharing the Vermont Public story below alongside our GoFundMe page.
Every bit of support matters.
GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/.../help-the-mason-family-get...
The picture attached was taken this morning as my parents visited to say goodbye to their home of over 40 years.
Thank you all for your continued generosity and positivity.
Wow. Ths is so sad, Todd. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI see that they have raised well over two-thirds of their goal, Todd. It is gratifying to see friends, neigbors, family, and strangers get together for a worthwhile cause. Best wishes to your aunt and uncle!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, folks...thanks. I've heard from Rhoda and Devin, and things do seem to be moving along in as right a direction as they can.
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