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Family surprised to learn their home in Luzerne County is condemned | Action 16 Investigates

A couple purchased a home in Pittston only to learn it does not have a certificate of occupancy.

Stacy Lange

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Published: 11:12 PM EDT June 11, 2024
Updated: 11:12 PM EDT June 11, 2024

For a family from Luzerne County, their slice of the American dream has turned into a nightmare.

Just weeks after moving into their home in Pittston, they learned the place is condemned and has been for years.

55 Church Street in Pittston is Jerry Thomas and Anna Bilak's first home. It was supposed to be their forever home.

"Three years we've been working to save. We've been working overnight jobs, daytime jobs, just trying to maintain life but save for the bigger dream. We thought this was the bigger dream until we found out it was basically just a living nightmare," Thomas said, sitting in the living room of 55 Church Street.

Thomas and Bilak share five children and wanted a place where each kid could finally have their own room. They found that place last fall. They are both the first in their families to purchase property, but that pride was short-lived.

Only a few weeks after closing, they came home to a bright orange condemned sign on the front door.

"We got that notice on the door. I came home, saw it on the door. Right before Christmas, mind you, this was like a week before Christmas. I call Harry from the city, and he's like, 'You're in violation; there was no certificate of occupancy.' Being a first-time homebuyer, I didn't even know what that was," Bilak said.

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