Support Tina's Urgent Home Repairs

I'm Tina (Buccellato) Badura, 73, retired secretary. I'm divorced and my oldest son, Bret, lives with me. We live in my mom and dad's old house in Antioch, CA. I am paying on a mortgage, which just went up $300/mo. because of the homeowner's insurance crisis. I'm low-income, on Social Security and a small pension. With inflation these days, I'm always running out of money about 3/4 through each month. It's getting impossible to save any money these days! My house was built in the 50's and the plumbing is getting bad. We've been living without a running toilet for weeks now because it needs replacing and I haven't had the money to do the extensive work underneath as well. Recently, we found out the flooring in the bathroom has mold underneath from leaking. We have discovered that there's a broken pipe underneath the house! Also, our bathtub faucets don't work anymore and need new plumbing behind the wall! I not only can't shower in my home, but I'm having to do my laundry elsewhere until the broken pipe is fixed. Right now, we're concentrating on the toilet and flooring and broken pipe; and later we can tackle the shower. A generous close friend has donated a new toilet for the bathroom! And earlier in the year, some funds were donated to my bathroom work, which have been greatly helpful!

My adult children are self-sustaining, but can't help me very much. My church has helped me with some work (they have limited funds); but as we've started the work, other things were uncovered and the labor costs are growing! I'm trying desperately NOT to have to sell my house, but it's hard not to lose hope. I've tried to get a home equity line of credit, but I don't have enough income to qualify for ANY kind of loan. I do hope that by reaching out to my extended family, cousins, and friends for a little donation (from a lot), this can cause a small miracle to happen, so I can remain in my home! ALL of the donations will be used for these home repairs mentioned, including parts and labor. I would be FOREVER grateful for any and all help you can send my way! Thank you all!

UPDATE 11/13: We now have new flooring put in and a new toilet installed! However, because of the pipe break under the house, we still can't use the toilet, laundry, or shower. The difficult work under the house has begun. We've raised $3,650 so far!! I've paid the plumber half of the total goal so he can purchase supplies and pay his few helpers. They're taking pictures and showing me all the work as it's done.

UPDATE 11/19: We've reached the initial goal!! However, the plumber is at a point where he may have to dig through cement on the outside of the house to get to where the problem is, which will mean a higher cost. Also, he didn't add in the cost to fix the shower pipes from behind the wall and under the house. So we're raising the goal some to cover that. Please spread the word if you know anyone in your family or friends who might want to help. (Put it on your social media if you'd like.) THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

UPDATE 12/5: We've raised $5,500 so far!! What a MIRACLE! The plumber has had to go into the hospital several times because of a bad infection so it's been delaying the finishing of the project. He encountered some problems on the outside of the house where they had to dig at least 4 feet down. The extra labor and pipe re-do's have added to the original costs. With that extra, plus the amount of work needed for my bathtub/shower fix, the goal has had to be increased to $1,800 more. I know we can do it! AGAIN, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!