AUBURN - After a condemnation order on their sewage-infested rental forced Paul Garnett and his immediate family to scatter to three different residences, they finally have a happy ending for their housing situation.
Last week, the half of a house Garnett and his fiancee, Pam Wells, were renting at 48 Barber St., from Edward Jones, of 6 Baker Ave., was condemned by the Auburn Code Enforcement Office because of a backed-up sewage pipe that left human fecal matter and other waste in the basement of the residence.
By Tuesday afternoon, Garnett and his family had reunited under one roof and unpacked most of their belongings at their new two-bedroom, full-sized house at 25 Lafeyette Place.
Unable to afford a security deposit, Garnett said he was almost in tears at points due to the fear they wouldn't be able to find a new apartment. Wells works for an hourly wage at Custom Cleaners, and Garnett receives about $600 in supplemental security income, a federal income supplement program for blind, aged and disabled people with little or no income.
Garnett and Wells were able to barter with their new landlord to move in without a security deposit in exchange for Garnett doing needed repairs at their new house.
The landlord even knocked off $75 from the price of rent, Garnett said.
"I'm feeling that there is a big monkey off my back," Garnett said. "My family got a decent place to live."
Before finding their new residence, Garnett and Wells stayed with his mother; they sent their 7-month-old infant, Xandar, to stay with Garnett's aunt, and they sent Garnett's 5-year-old daughter, Alexis, to stay with her grandmother.
Their other children who periodically visit, Pamela's sons, Jared, 9, who comes every other weekend of month, and Mitchell, 12, who stays with them during the summer, and Garnett's daughter, Ann, 14, will also benefit from their new home.
Jones repaired the sewer pipe at 48 Barber St. by late Monday morning, and the condemnation order was lifted earlier this week, said Auburn assistant corporation counsel Nancy Hussey, who advises the code enforcement office.
Despite the repair to the sewer line, Garnett did not want to return to the Barber Street residence.
The family lost 16 boxes holding winter clothes, toys and memorabilia stored in the basement at that property.
First pictures, first baby blankets, first teddy bears and four winter jackets were among the items ruined, Garnett said.
"We're looking for what's right," Garnett said. "We wanted to live and have a landlord provide to us what he is responsible for. Being a landlord is a job."
Garnett also praised the city's code enforcement office for its helpfulness and responsiveness to his family's situation.
Garnett said code enforcement officers responded quickly to their initial call about the backed-up sewage pipe and inspected their new residence at Lafayette Place in a timely fashion.
"We aren't used to that," Garnett said of the treatment.
Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net
By Tuesday afternoon, Garnett and his family had reunited under one roof and unpacked most of their belongings at their new two-bedroom, full-sized house at 25 Lafeyette Place.
Unable to afford a security deposit, Garnett said he was almost in tears at points due to the fear they wouldn't be able to find a new apartment. Wells works for an hourly wage at Custom Cleaners, and Garnett receives about $600 in supplemental security income, a federal income supplement program for blind, aged and disabled people with little or no income.
Garnett and Wells were able to barter with their new landlord to move in without a security deposit in exchange for Garnett doing needed repairs at their new house.
The landlord even knocked off $75 from the price of rent, Garnett said.
"I'm feeling that there is a big monkey off my back," Garnett said. "My family got a decent place to live."
Before finding their new residence, Garnett and Wells stayed with his mother; they sent their 7-month-old infant, Xandar, to stay with Garnett's aunt, and they sent Garnett's 5-year-old daughter, Alexis, to stay with her grandmother.
Their other children who periodically visit, Pamela's sons, Jared, 9, who comes every other weekend of month, and Mitchell, 12, who stays with them during the summer, and Garnett's daughter, Ann, 14, will also benefit from their new home.
Jones repaired the sewer pipe at 48 Barber St. by late Monday morning, and the condemnation order was lifted earlier this week, said Auburn assistant corporation counsel Nancy Hussey, who advises the code enforcement office.
Despite the repair to the sewer line, Garnett did not want to return to the Barber Street residence.
The family lost 16 boxes holding winter clothes, toys and memorabilia stored in the basement at that property.
First pictures, first baby blankets, first teddy bears and four winter jackets were among the items ruined, Garnett said.
"We're looking for what's right," Garnett said. "We wanted to live and have a landlord provide to us what he is responsible for. Being a landlord is a job."
Garnett also praised the city's code enforcement office for its helpfulness and responsiveness to his family's situation.
Garnett said code enforcement officers responded quickly to their initial call about the backed-up sewage pipe and inspected their new residence at Lafayette Place in a timely fashion.
"We aren't used to that," Garnett said of the treatment.
Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net