Homeless a second time due to flooding

How is it that for a second time in less than two years, I find myself homeless? I am not a deadbeat. I have not missed a mortgage payment. I have dutifully paid my taxes. My bills are all current and I am even the type of middle class American who believes that it is a privilege to vote.

So how do I explain being homeless? Water.

In September, 2008, we all walked around dazed and in disbelief that the flooding had actually rendered our homes uninhabitable. After the initial shock, I was forced to rely on the kindness of friends and strangers.

My 27-year-old disabled son and I love living in Carol Stream, though the 2008 flood has not yet faded into memory. In the rebuilding process, I made changes in our property that I felt would help with our water issues. I asked to be put on the DuPage County buyout list, which may take as long as five or six years.

When the village of Carol Stream learned about federal grants available to speed the process along, I participated, sharing photos and doing whatever possible to help the village obtain some of that piece of pie. On July 15, I was told everything had been approved and that we were just waiting for funding.

I left to visit my grandson, full of hope, only to return a week later in despair over the loss of my house again and to find out that Congress has not funded the grants. I am now asking myself the logic in rebuilding; the first cost over $80,000. It doesn't make sense to do this yet again.

The three families approved for the grant need help now. Please let us move on with our lives, to once again enjoy the sounds of rain on the roof.

Nancy Barcelona

Carol Stream