Help Emmett Fight to Save His Home and Health

This GoFundMe is to support our dear friend Emmett, who is facing an impossible, life-changing emergency due to absolutely no fault of his own.

In March 2023, Emmett invested in his first home in hopes of creating financial security that would allow him to work less as a disabled person and for his family’s security as they look to retire. In his first year of homeownership, Emmett noticed severe flooding, for which he hired a plumber. Upon inspection in May 2024, the plumber discovered Emmett's issue was caused by a rare utility problem called a cross bore, meaning a gas line had been installed through his sewer line at some point prior to Emmett’s ownership of the home. This compromises the safety of any needed plumbing work due to the risk of a natural gas explosion.

For months, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), the utility company responsible for providing gas service and inspecting all gas line installs, has shirked responsibility for this issue, pushing the $50,000-100,000 cost of repairs onto Emmett. Emmett has worked hard to hold PGW accountable with the PA Public Utilities Commission, and in early September, PGW retaliated by turning off his gas without notice, three months after he reported the issue. PGW has stated they are not liable and that they won't turn gas service back on until Emmett makes the necessary repairs to fix the safety problem PGW created with their negligence.

Emmett has now been without gas for 3 months, and winter is coming. That means no hot water and no heat.

Emmett has already spent over $2,500 on plumbing work, heaters, electric cooking appliances, and utility bills, and all of his potential next steps involve tens of thousands of dollars that he simply doesn't have:

1) Emmett currently has a court date with the PA Public Utilities Commission to force PGW to turn over any documents showing they did not know of the cross bore. This process would not include monetary damages to fix the issue.

2) Emmett has struggled to find legal representation for civil court, both due to the inability to pay upfront the $30,000 it would take to get to court and the expertise for this complex and rare of a situation.

3) Emmett would have to take out a $100,000 loan on top of his mortgage to alleviate the problem, leading to an increase of $500 a month payment which is not feasible given his student/medical debt.

4) Emmett does not qualify for any community legal aid due to his gross income (before taxes and mandatory debt payment) and because his home is seen as an asset, which has now lost more than a third of its value due to the cross bore.

Everyone who meets Emmett loves him because he is one of the most kind, giving, and loving humans you’ll ever come in contact with. Personally and professionally, he’s dedicated to making the world a better and safer place for as many people as possible. Even when he’s down, he shows up for his communities time and time again. He’s made mutual aid a priority in his life, and now it’s time for us to give back and let him receive.

All donations will be used to assist Emmett in the legal and logistical tasks involved in trying to fix this situation and save his home (ie. hiring a lawyer, filing a lawsuit, making repairs, draining pipes to avoid them bursting in the winter if he needs to abandon the property, preparing to survive the winter months without heat or hot water, securing other accommodations, etc). This is URGENT as it begins to get colder outside. Emmett has been left without the needed resources to take care of his health and chronic illnesses, which makes it even harder to fight an already impossibly difficult situation.

True to his character, Emmett absolutely hates the idea of asking others for help when so many people in this world are struggling, but we, as his friends, know he needs and deserves this. So please donate and share to help save Emmett’s home and ensure his needs are met throughout this winter season.

With much gratitude,

Emmett's people