Buchanan Helps Homeowners

ABC 7 Reports:

Congressman Buchanan talks about Chinese drywall concerns

VENICE - More and more homeowners on the Suncoast are finding out their house is built with it -- Chinese drywall. What they're not finding are answers and solutions. We talked with local congressman Vern Buchanan about what state and federal agencies are doing to help.

Jim Silverblatt's Venice home has Chinese drywall. As his house and health problems go on, still nobody will help. "We've been let down by every agency. Everybody points the finger at somebody else. We are just going in a circle."

Jim is far from alone. It's believed more than 36,000 homes built between 2004 and 2007 just in Florida could have the possibly toxic drywall.

The numbers on the Suncoast are growing.

"It's a big problem and we are trying to do everything we can." Congressman Buchanan says it's time for the government to step in. Builders are out of business or would be if they had to fix the problem. Homeowners don't have an option. "They've got nobody to turn to. We have to see what can be done at the state and federal level."

Buchanan has joined the congressional Chinese drywall caucus and sponsored legislation, trying to get attention from the top. "I think the biggest thing is we have sent a letter to the President before he met with the Chinese Premier, asking the Chinese to step up and handle the problem."

Chinese companies who built the product have not responded. Buchanan says he supports a drastic measure used for instances like a hurricane. "They should declare it a state of emergency. There are a lot of people that are hurting as a result of this all over Florida. There are a lot right here in my Congressional District."

In just the past few weeks other local governments like the City of Venice have also sent the governor letters asking him for the deceleration. Buchanan says the time has come. "I am hoping they will take it serious and step up and do something quickly. We need to resolve it now."

A stance the Governor has yet to take and those living or dying everyday with the drywall don't understand says Silverblatt. "We don't know that. I wish I had an answer to that."

Buchanan says they are also working with lenders to lessen mortgage payments and to provide low interest disaster loans to repair and replace the drywall.

One of the major issues is how to go about fixing it even with the money.

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• Vern Buchanan
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• Venice
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