Reading Starts Relief Fund For Displaced Apartment Residents

READING, MA — The town has started an emergency relief fund for residents displaced from the General Washington Apartments.

Town Manager Bob LeLacheur told Patch that heavy rain last week flooded the basement of the building, and the water level rose high enough to come into contact with the electrical circuits. This boiled the water and created steam in some apartments, driving the temperature to over 90 degrees before the Reading Municipal Light Department shut off power to the building.

"For the first couple of days the landlord told the tenants it looked to be a 2-3 day event where they would need to be out of the building – although they were welcome to come and go, and leave their belongings there," LeLacheur wrote in an email. "Within that time frame, the landlord assessed the situation to require 90 days."

The landlord has agreed to pay the first 15 days of housing costs, but the tenants will be responsible for costs incurred after that period. LeLacheur said about half the residents have found accommodations with family and friends, while the other half are in extended stay hotels.

The town's fundraiser, in partnership with the Reading Cooperative Bank, will assist tenants with temporary housing costs.

Through its charitable foundation, the bank will collect tax-deductible donations on behalf of the town to distribute to the residents of the 39 units.

Here's how you can donate:

1. By cash or check at any branch of Reading Cooperative Bank. Checks payable to: Residents of 625 Main Street.
2. By transfer from your RCB account. Just log-in and follow the instructions on the RCB webpage.
3. By credit or debit card via PayPal at readingcoop.com/charitable. These donations will incur a PayPal charitable rate fee of 2.2% + $0.30.