Topeka family living without heat and warm water look for a new home

When a Topeka man rented a new home last June to live with his 12 year old son and 10 year old daughter, he didn't worry a few things were broken, because his landlord promised to fix them.

But it didn't happen.

Barry Smith and is family live in a home that's falling apart.

“It just keeps getting worse and worse,” Smith said.

He says the landlord has not kept his promises.

“I don't want to say anything bad about the guy,” Smith said. “He was the only one there to help me when no one was there to help me."

Smith struggles with health issues like high blood pressure, and lives on disability.

A few weeks ago, he had a heart attack. While at the hospital, someone broke into his home. On top of that, frozen pipes burst and flooded the basement.

"I don’t really have problems feeding my kids or clothing my kids or taking care of my kids,” Smith said. “My kids are my life I’d do anything for my children.”

He says he doesn’t want to have to take his kids to live at a shelter.

His son’s school counselor worries the stress will impact his ability to concentrate on his education.

"Sometimes, that emotional load is a lot for him and all the teachers have tried to be very understanding of him knowing that he’s being taxed to the max,” Janet Mitchell, Counselor at Robinson Middle School, said.

The school is trying to help by providing extra blankets, connecting them with community organizations, and even taking Smith to doctor's appointments.

He says he's thankful, but knows he and his family need one major thing to get out of this situation.

"If someone called me and said that they had a house they'd be willing to rent for me,” Smith said. “All my troubles would be over just like that."

If you or anyone you know are interested in helping the Smith family, you can contact Robinson Middle School and ask for Janet Mitchell.