Save My House

Hi, I'm Ted White.  I'm 79 years old and I've been a professional science fiction writer and editor for most of my adult life, with over a dozen books published.  When I was young I thought I would retire on my royalties from my writing.  I was naive.  I'm living on bare-bones Social Security, a reflection of my career of self-employment.  

Since 1970 I've lived in the house in Falls Church, Virginia, in which I grew up.  It was built by my parents in 1935 and expanded in 1946.  I did extensive remodeling in the '70s.

The problem is property taxes.  They keep going up, and are currently around $12,000 a year (with the threat of a 3% increase).  I have paid them out of my dwindling savings, and my savings are now gone.  I cannot pay the current (half-annual) bill of $6,048.89, which was due last December.

At my age, opportunities for employment are limited.  Currently I work one day a week as the copyeditor of my local weekly newspaper.  

I fear becoming homeless.  Losing my house is a certainty unless I can keep the property taxes paid, and do the necessary upkeep on the house (it needs painting and a new roof, at a minimum).  With the exception of 12 years in New York City, I've lived in this house all my life.  All my memories (and all my possessions) are here.  Losing my house would be devastating.

Last December I lost my 28-year-old son, Aaron. He had been my pride, my joy, my legacy and my best friend. His death was a terrible blow. Losing my house on top of losing Aaron will be more than I can probably take. I will have nowhere to go, and little incentive to go on living.

So I need these funds rather desperately. And I will be very thankful if they come through.

Thank you for your help.