Austin News8: Cracks in Commission -TRCC Not Working |
Wednesday, 24 September 2008 |
Homeowners' faith in commission crumbling. The state commission tasked with ensuring quality construction for Texans is in jeopardy.
It's been almost four years since
Hoover
contacted TRCC. Today,
Hoover
's home still has cracks in the foundation and he's still trying to get the builder to do something about it. "It's crumbling around us. A brand new home under warranty and we can do nothing about it,"
Hoover
said. "Eighty-eight percent of homeowners who go through the TRCC process see no resolution to their problem," Winslow said.
Homeowners' faith in commission crumbling
Updated: 9/23/2008 6:21:08 PM
By: Veronica Castelo
See News8 Video Report
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Robert Hoover discovered cracks in his foundation. |
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Buying a home in Manor four years ago was a dream come true for Robert Hoover and his family.
"It's where I want to raise my kids. It's where I want to retire. It's where I want to grow old. We love our home,"
Hoover
said.
Soon after buying his new home
Hoover
discovered cracks in the foundation. He turned to the Texas Residential Construction Commission or TRCC for help. Duane Waddill is the Executive Director.
"Our primary goal is to reconcile differences between homeowners and the industry when a dispute arises post construction," Waddill said.
It's been almost four years since
Hoover
contacted TRCC. Today,
Hoover
's home still has cracks in the foundation and he's still trying to get the builder to do something about it.
"It's crumbling around us. A brand new home under warranty and we can do nothing about it,"
Hoover
said.
It's a story that advocacy groups like Homeowners for
Better
Building
and Texas Watch hear all too often. Alex Winslow is the Executive Director of Texas Watch.
"Eighty-eight percent of homeowners who go through the TRCC process see no resolution to their problem," Winslow said.
The problems are outlined in a report by the Sunset Commission staff. The Sunset Commission is tasked with identifying and eliminating waste in government agencies.
According to the staff report, the TRCC has no real power to require builders to make the needed repairs. The report also states TRCC is not designed to ensure that only qualified persons can enter the field. The staff recommends the commission abolish the TRCC.
"The agency neither has the teeth nor the desire to truly protect the consumers," Winslow said.
Those who support the agency, including many homebuilders like Shayne Schroeder, say TRCC just needs more time. TRCC was created five years ago.
"It's being well recognized throughout the state. It's really taking off well. It just needs a chance to establish itself," Schroeder said.
Time may be running out for the TRCC. The commission will vote in December whether or not to abolish it on December 17.
Meanwhile, homeowners like
Hoover
feel like they are still left battling giant homebuilders by themselves.
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