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Nampa homeowners upset with developer after flooding issues

One homeowner told KTVB that since the flooding started, plumbers have pumped over 5,000 gallons of water out of her crawl space.

BOISE, Idaho — The newly built Southern Ridge neighborhood in Nampa has a group of neighbors feeling helpless. 

"I want my home back," homeowner Melissa-Jo Rivera told KTVB. "I want my kids to have their home."

About seven different homeowners started to experience flooding in their backyards over wintertime. 

"We had a lake basically in our backyard," homeowner Jessica Valentine said. 

When neighbors asked the developer, Hubble Homes, to look at the flooding issue- neighbors all got different responses. Some were told it was from historic rain fall, improper gutters, or grading issues. One homeowner was told it was their neighbors was raised flower beds. 

Neighbors told KTVB the flooding didn't start until new homes went up behind them last fall. 

Earlier this year, Rivera checked her crawl space. Inside, she found that it was flooded, and other neighbors began to check theirs. They discovered that all seven of the home's crawl spaces were flooded. The group brought in plumbers and contractors to investigate without help from the developer. 

"All arrows keep pointing back to Hubble," Rivera said. 

The group told KTVB Hubble has verbally told some neighbors who are still under the one-year warranty they'll look into it. While others are left on their own. 

"The builder has paid for the next-door neighbors to have theirs done, and they've offered no help for us," Valentine said. 

Rivera is one of the neighbors who is left to find an answer to the flooding issue. She said since the flooding started, plumbers have pumped over 5,000 gallons of water out of her crawl space.

On Wednesday, fans and humidifier lines ran through her house to keep the space dry. The water will return soon, though, she said. It's a cycle of pumping it out and drying it just in time, just for the water to return and the cycle to start over.

Hubble Homes shared this statement with KTVB.  

"We appreciate that many Idahoans have experienced drainage challenges as the valley experienced historic storms this spring, and we will continue to work with our homeowners to resolve concerns pursuant to our customer care plan with the utmost level of respect and compassion."

KTVB asked Hubble Homes to share their data on Nampa's historic rainfall. As of Wednesday, KTVB did not receive a response. 

The neighbors said they are also experiencing health concerns. 

"I've even noticed I've opened up the crawl space once or twice and almost immediately my throat starts burning, my head starts to hurt... when I was fine minutes before hand," Valentine said. 

"We've had stuff like nose bleeds, some increased coughing," homeowner Deanna Legeyt said. 

In April, neighbors called the City of Nampa for help. The city's water division went out on April 9 to investigate. City infrastructure appeared to be working properly and they've shared this information with Hubble Homes' Superintendent. 

Neighbors are worried once Hubble is finished building the neighborhood in the next few months, that homeowners will be left with a problem that will never get fixed. 

"We've put a lot of time and effort into making this the perfect home for us and our family," homeowner Kelvin Legeyt said. "And we're worried that it's all going to go away."

The seven homes include disabled family members, veterans, and young children. Homeowners said they only want the problem to be fixed so they can live in their homes without stress and worry.

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