Freetown couple 'overwhelmed' as volunteers fix home's collapsed foundation

The community is rallying around a senior couple from Freetown, P.E.I., who were worried they would lose their home after their foundation collapsed last spring.

"My prayers have been answered," said Jennie Farquharson, adding that she's been "overwhelmed" by the support that's been offered since the couple's plight became public.

Half a dozen volunteers are spending the day digging and hauling out the old cinder block foundation. A backhoe service is on site, along with a skid steer loader.

When that's complete, forms will be put up and a new concrete foundation poured Thursday. Kent Building Supplies has offered to supply concrete for the new foundation.

• Renovation grant income cut-off too low, says elderly Freetown couple

Farquharson said the offers of help started coming in after CBC News reported on the couple's story last week.

Farquharson and her husband Lloyd found themselves struggling after the foundation of their home collapsed last spring.

Insurance wouldn't cover the repairs and they couldn't afford to get the work done themselves. The couple applied twice to the home renovation program for low-income households but were turned down both times.

The province's program used to offer loans a first-come-first-serve loan program, but the government changed it in the fall to an income-based grant program.

Households earning $35,000 or less can qualify for the program but in this round, government was only able to accommodate those earning less than $22,000 after the $1.1-million budget was used up.

The couple told CBC News they felt the province's home renovation grant program should be based on more than just income.

The Farquharsons' income was $42,000 last year.

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