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Taxes keep going up, and all of us feel the brunt of it. Some, more than others. And this woman in particular, nearly lost her home thanks to the economy. While this story is from 2017, it is still very relevant to life today. Perhaps it will inspire you to do something good for someone.
As an infant, Alice Smith contracted Polio. Because of a lack of modern medicine, Alice had both physical and mental disabilities. Her parents had this in mind when they ensured their home was fully paid for before they passed away. They wanted to be sure their daughter would have a place to live, knowing her disabilities would make life hard for her. The house was in Haddonfield, New Jersey. New Jersey, however, has some of the nation’s highest property taxes. Alice had some help through the years, her brother and nephew both helped to take care of her when needed.
The problems started
What Alice’s parents did not foresee, was a rise in property tax. By 2017, taxes for the home had been raised to $8,500 per year. The back taxes started adding up and she was threatened with foreclosure.
“After their death, they instructed that the house be placed into a trust as a means of protecting Alice’s right to live there until her death or inability to continue to live there, due to her own decision or some other circumstance. They had no idea that property taxes would climb so high as to threaten her ability to stay in that home.”
Jack Smith
Alice’s brother, Jack, did not have the money to help. She also had a low annual income of only $17,150 from Social Security and her father’s pension was not enough to pay back what was owed either.
“I’ve been here nearly all my life. I love everything about the house, I love my neighbors. This house means everything to me. I want to live here for the rest of my life until the day I die.”
Alice Smith
A Reverse mortgage could help
One way that Alice would be able to keep the house was with a reverse mortgage. Alice was pre-approved for this, however, the home first needed various repairs and other issues, such as the back taxes and even future taxes. This totaled to $14,500. The issue now was to try gather the funds in order to get fully approved for the reverse mortgage. Unfortunately, every option lead to a dead end.
Alice, her family, the volunteers who assist her with her day to day care in the house, and her neighbors are seeking donations to cover the $14,500 shortfall needed to secure the reverse mortgage. We have reached out to civic and religious organizations such as United Way, the Lions and Rotary Clubs, local churches; the Diocese of Camden and Catholic Charities of Camden County, to no avail so far.
Jack Smith
Alice was facing being homeless, and losing the home she had such fond memories in.
“I remember growing up here, going to school, having my dogs and having animals here. Me working in the vegetable garden, which I had out back. I loved that.”
Alice Smith
A solution is found
Alice’s brother Jack has a son named Mark, and thankfully, he thought of setting up a Gofundme to help Alice. He told her story online and hoped that people would help his aunt. He pleaded with the public to please help so that Alice could stay in her family home. Luckily, the response was tremendous and a great deal of support was received, which meant that Alice could stay and live in her house.
In this New Year, the most significant present that Alice could receive is that she can continue to remain in her home. Donations of any size would be greatly appreciated and would help her to keep her home. If you are unable to donate, please pass this message on to someone else you know who may. Besides assisting Alice, people donating can take comfort that, as they start the New Year, they have provided a tremendous gift to someone in great need.
Mark Smith
The campaign reached over 16 thousand dollars in donations to help Alice keep her home. As you can imagine, Alice and her family are extremely grateful to those who helped and donated and helped her keep her home. Faith in humanity restored!
Sadly, Alice passed away in February 2019 while in ICU after some medical complications. She got to spend her last few years living in the house she loved so dearly, all thanks to strangers who showed compassion and caring.
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Sources
- Go Fund Me
- “Disabled Haddonfield woman in fight to keep home.” Courier Post. February 2017.