RAISE THE ROOF FOR DANI

My sister Dani has dedicated herself to the future of our kids and their big dreams.  Now she desperately needs our help.  Here's Dani's story in her own words...

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Hi, my name is Dani (professionally, Danielle).  I’m a community college teacher.  I love my job.  My students inspire me.  Following their progress, celebrating their achievements... it's a blast.  When they feel overwhelmed or discouraged, I get to help lift them up.  There's nothing more satisfying.  Teaching really feels like a calling, like I was born to do it.

I'm incredibly grateful for the life I built after relocating to Arizona to take my dream job.  I even bought a cute, affordable condo for me and my little dynamo dog, Pepper.  I really came to know contentment.  That was until it was all taken away...

I never imagined I'd find myself in an ugly legal battle, where I stand to lose everything because of a negligent, unresponsive homeowner’s association.  Maybe you know someone like me, who's been blindsided by circumstances beyond their control...

I want to respect your time and invite you to read my whole story below, under “Dani's Story”.  If you're short on time, here's the summary:

• The roofs in our community are failing and many years past due for replacement.  My unit sustained water and mold damage.
• The HOA is responsible but won't fix them.
• I’m paying the mortgage, HOA dues, taxes and utilities every month, on a torn-up unit I can’t live in.
• I must go to court for justice, for me and my dog Pepper, who died from mold exposure.
• So, while it may not look like it , I'm homeless, with no end in sight.  The HOA has ignored my claims and plea for help for more than a year.

Would you buy a teacher a cup of coffee? 

Your $5 donation may not seem like much, but it’s helping me fight for my future and its impact will be tremendous.  If you ever wanted to thank a teacher and didn't know how, this is one way -- with a random act of kindness.  I know how great it feels to help lift people up.  I could really use that kind of help now.

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DANI'S STORY

I moved to Arizona 3 years ago in pursuit of a better life.   After landing my dream job, I took the leap and bought a modest condo.  I did all of my due diligence, and then some.  The seller’s agent complained that I’d performed more inspections than he’d ever seen.

Weeks after Pepper and I moved in, when the weather started warming up, I noticed a cave-like musty smell in the unit.  Pepper started coughing and developed fainting spells, neither of which she’d had before.  My eyes watered and itched.  Everyone who visited agreed that my unit had a notable, dank, "basement" smell.

After a routine visit to an adjacent, HOA-owned garage, I discovered significant water damage and black mold on the garage walls. 

There were two massive gaps in the built-up roof of the garage where it meets my south wall, actively allowing water in.  Elsewhere, the garage roof had holes so large, sunlight was coming through.  

I then learned from the management company that the complex had a long history of significant leaks and all 70 roofs were long past due for replacement.  This is information the HOA didn’t disclose during the sale, despite my asking for documents multiple times.  There were also numerous sewage line issues throughout the property, including at my unit that was documented to have a “four foot belly” under the front lawn.

During the 2018 Arizona monsoon season my unit started leaking and continued to leak during storms.  I brought in professional contractors to clean up the water damage.  However, I couldn’t rebuild and put everything back until the multiple roof and wall leaks were fixed.  But, I don’t own the roof or the walls.  The HOA does.

So, I approached the HOA and asked them to repair my roof and the other failing items jeopardizing my unit.  They ignored my letters and refused to discuss my leaks at board meetings.  At the meetings, I was cut off and reprimanded when I tried to speak, and witnessed active eye rolling by the HOA board at my expense.  This is when I hired a lawyer.

Now, a year later, the HOA still hasn’t repaired my roof.  Every major room of the unit is torn up from professional water remediation.  But, until the failing roofs are fixed (which the HOA refuses to do) my hands are tied.  I also have professionally-documented mold contamination and was told not to live in the unit. 

My sweet little dog, who spent much more time in the unit than I, due to my teaching schedule, continued to suffer frequent episodes of syncope and died just after we vacated the property.  I regret with all my heart not pulling us both out sooner.

Would you consider helping to lift me up so I can either return home or move on?  Until I can rebuild the condo, it will remain a financial liability because it’s now worth far less than I paid for it.  It needs to be fit for occupancy and it won’t be until the HOA fixes what’s broken.  Bottom line: nobody will want to buy or live in a compromised unit with a moldy garage on the other side of the wall, in a condo community with 70 failing roofs, bad plumbing and a host of other problems, including severe financial issues.

My campaign is a call to other teachers, but of course, non-teachers are welcome to contribute to my campaign, and for that I profoundly thank you. By your good grace, some day, I may be able to live with dignity again in a home of my own.

Until then, I face an uncertain future.  The HOA is making this very hard.  The president of the association claims the leaks aren’t real, despite ample third party verified evidence, and is actively seeking to ruin my reputation.  She distributed a defamatory email suggesting I am homicidal, despite no credible evidence, of course, only my pleading for the HOA to fulfill their duty these last 13+ months and fix the common areas they are responsible for.

So, in addition to not repairing my roof and rolling their eyes at me at board meetings, it appears they’re doing everything they can to humiliate and defame me, and make me spend more money.  This is how they spend their time, instead of just getting to business and fixing the deteriorating property. 

I stand to lose everything I’ve worked for.

I hope you’ll consider helping a teacher by giving just five dollars and sharing this campaign with at least 20 people who care about teachers, including, and especially teachers.  Help a teacher put a roof over her head and avoid the potential financial doom of owning an unsellable property that she must still pay for every month.

My profound thanks for considering a donation and sharing with as many people as you can. 

And, huge thanks to my loving sister and amazing network of friends for helping create and manage this campaign.  I couldn’t do this without you.