OAKMONT, Pa. -- A 75-year-old Oakmont woman and her son, who suffers from cerebral palsy, have been forced to live in a motel after the borough deemed their home unfit for living.
“I didn’t do anything to anybody, so why would they do this to me?” asked a tearful Rosella Dixon, whose only income comes from social security.
Dixon and her 41-year-old son have been living in a motel since July 12 after their Oakmont home was cited for more than 20 code violations.
“I have my son to take care of. I came here to make sure he's safe because I have nowhere else to go,” said Dixon.
Dixon said police and paramedics showed up at her house in July to send her son to a hospital.
She said she was told to leave the next day without notice.
“They didn't give me a chance to do nothing,” said Dixon.
Dixon said she was not given a chance to talk with social services to help clean up the house.
Her attorney said Oakmont offered no grace period.
“They're supposed to send you notification that says you have so many days to cure this defect, or if you can’t cure it in so many days, allow us to ask for some time, work with us a little bit. She never got that,” said attorney Robert Downey.
Oakmont solicitor Shawn Gallagher said a 30 day notice was sent to Dixon.
“He [Downey] is either misinformed or lying,” said Gallagher.
Gallagher said the house was cluttered with trash and filth.
The Allegheny County Health Department said the house was extremely unsanitary and unfit for human habitation.
“We also hope that they correct the violations in the house and make it safe for human occupation again,” said Gallagher.
Nearly 25 volunteers have come together to help clean up Dixon’s house, with $5,000 in donations also aiding their cause.
Volunteers hope to conclude the work on Dixon’s house in 10 days.
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