Help Allan and Crossley Save Their Home

Help Crossley & Allan Save Their Home

TL;DR: Crossley and Allan are facing a black mold infestation in their home and over $250,000 in renovation and remediation costs. They need our help, urgently.

Update posted 9/6/25 - Scroll to the bottom to read about new developments in the renovation including the discovery of asbestos and a need to remove the exterior siding from the house.

Hi, I'm Gilbert Spencer, and I'm starting this campaign for my dear friends Crossley Hawn and Allan Laiño, who are facing an urgent crisis in their home. They haven’t asked me to do this for them, but I know that they are in dire need, and many in our community have expressed their desire to help.

In 2022, Crossley and Allan fulfilled their dream of homeownership, purchasing their first home where they planned to raise their baby. What should have been a happy beginning has turned into a nightmare – they've recently discovered a serious mold infestation that poses immediate safety risks and requires emergency remediation and renovations.

The mold is pervasive, a result of old leaks and water damage which were never properly mitigated, and hidden well enough upon purchase to pass multiple inspections. Every single room throughout the home requires gutting, remediation and renovation, and the house is currently unlivable.

The Financial Reality:

The professional remediation and renovation costs will exceed $250,000, with very limited insurance coverage due to the fact that this infestation long predates their time in the house. To sell the house as-is, they would lose a massive amount of the home’s value, so fixing and rebuilding equity makes more financial sense for them.

The work includes:

The Health Emergency

Crossley's spent the last two years battling constant upper respiratory and sinus infections. She has also dealt with chronic inflammation, fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog that coincide with her time in the home.

Allan has had persistent asthma and severe respiratory symptoms for the past 2 years, believed to be exacerbated by toxic mold.

Their 3-year-old son Ziven is at greatest risk, as children are particularly vulnerable to mold-related health complications. He has a chronic cough which is present only in the home.

Their cat Kawai’s health declined after moving in, and she’s been on steroids for chronic inflammation since 2023.

Goal

To raise $50,000 toward the total costs.

About Crossley & Allan

Crossley and Allan are some of the most generous and good-hearted people around. They are always the first to offer help to friends in need, and as their community, it's our turn to step up for them.

Thank You!

I know our support would mean the world to Crossley and Allan. Whether through donation, sharing this campaign, or keeping them in your thoughts, you're helping them get back to health and safety.

From a grateful friend, Gilbert Spencer

Updates to be posted regularly as the renovation progresses.

Update 9/6/25

Crossley, Allan & family are so moved by your generosity, and it's making a real difference.

The mold remediation is about halfway done, but they've run into a few major, unforeseen challenges.

All work had to be paused because every item in the house needed to be professionally removed and cleaned to prevent cross-contamination. This required a specialized pack-out company, causing about one week in delays.

LVP flooring and carpet were pulled up on both levels, and hazardous asbestos tiles were discovered hidden underneath. An asbestos abatement company had to be brought in to safely manage the removal. That work should be complete within the next few days.

To permanently fix the source of the issue, the exterior siding will need to be replaced, and house wrap and flashing needs to be properly installed. However, the current siding is made of asbestos, and the necessary professional abatement presents the next major roadblock.

These hurdles have been tough, but they underscore why this work is so critical. Your support is directly helping them navigate these unexpected costs and continue the fight to make their home safe again for their family. The photos below offer a glimpse into the demolition phase, and what’s been uncovered so far.

This wall cavity was tested in 4 spots, about 2ft between each test. The samples came out clean. C&A insisted that they cut open into the wall anyway. Doing that confirmed mold and chronic water intrusion.

The home's exterior siding was installed without a proper water-resistant barrier or flashing, allowing moisture to seep into the walls for years, long before they moved in.