Donora resident worried she will lose her home after discovering tax snafu

By LIAM BELAN
lbelan@yourmvi.com
A Donora resident uncovered an awful revelation when she looked to enroll her property in the Washington County Home Rehabilitation Program.
Willa White applied for $24,500 in funding for foundational improvements at her residence, but was stunned to learn she owes nearly $3,500 in real estate school taxes for the 2010 and 2011 school years. White said she was repeatedly assured that there was nothing owed on her home, located at 403 9th St. in the Allen Plan, when she got her deed in 2013. Not only would she be unable to take advantage of the rehabilitation program for seven years, but she would eventually have to pay those taxes left to her from the previous homeowner so that she wouldn’t lose her home.
This has put White, 77, in a tough financial situation, and she said she’s been sick thinking about the ramifications of this newly learned debt.
“I was upset. I was really upset,” she said upon learning of the debt. “When I signed my deed, I asked that lawyer in Charleroi, ‘Is there anything owed on the house?,’ and they said, ‘No, everything’s clear.’”
Fortunately, though, White isn’t alone.
A volunteer for more than 12 years at the Monongahela Senior Center, White has made some friends, and they’re looking to help her out.
Lynn Leach is one of those friends, and she took White and the receipts of paid 2012 and 2013 taxes down to the Washington County Redevelopment office where they told her that, unfortunately, a payment of $3,466.74 would have to be made no later than May 26. However, the workers in the office sensed how distraught White was and gave her an extra 30 days after the initial deadline to make the payment.
The current deadline is June 26, and Leach has teamed up with many involved at the senior center to put together a pasta dinner fundraiser Saturday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the American Legion in Donora, 513 Meldon Ave. Leach mentioned that the American Legion donated its facilities so that the fundraiser can be held free of charge. Even the workers at the redevelopment office were eager to help and will be purchasing tickets to the event priced at $15.
The venue and the Rent-A-Center in Belle Vernon are among the businesses selling tickets for the event. Many of the people at the Monongahela Senior Center are volunteering to help set up and work the event as well as setting up baskets for auctions. Leach is looking to cover the costs of the back taxes, and extra money will be donated to the senior center.
It would take 232 tickets sold at $15 each to cover the fee that White has been handed. Out of 500 total tickets, there are 167 out with businesses as they are selling them. Businesses interested in selling tickets can contact Leach at 724-757-3650.

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