Nick, my fiancé, recently bought a home, hoping to create a safe and comfortable space for our family. Unfortunately, we quickly discovered that the house needs major repairs. The pipes weren’t installed correctly, so every time we use water, a strong sewer smell fills the house. We’ve already had to pay out of pocket to install a new septic system that should have been covered, but the problems don’t stop there. The insulation is poor, our pipes freeze every winter, with gaps near doors and windows, and the windows themselves need replacing. We were pushed out of our previous home without any explanation, and after months of trying to delay, we had no choice but to purchase a house on the spot. The first-time home buying experience was incredibly difficult—we went through several realtors, faced rejection after rejection, and were told that nothing was worth our money. Now, we’re working hard to make this house livable, but we simply don’t have the funds. Very little of our payments go toward the principal, and it’s disheartening to see how much we struggle despite our best efforts. We can’t take out a loan due to our debt-to-income ratio. Our first priority is to fix the bathroom by installing proper pipes to eliminate the toxic sewer smell and create a shower that’s bigger than a tiny closet. Next, we’d focus on replacing windows and improving insulation to stay warm, keep the critters out and lower our energy bill. I feel our whole situation was very disheartening and very unfair considering we’re good folks, work hard, and always try our best to upkeep on our bills. We usually don’t ask for help because we feel that someone else out there always needs it more than us, but I am at my wits end and in tears, so I am seeking and asking for help this time. We’re asking for a little help to make our home safe and comfortable. Any support would mean the world to us and help us finally settle into a place we can truly call home.