Amid the devastation of a fire, Charles Hale found hope and support thanks to a new tax exemption law in Texas and the backing of his community.
POTEET, Texas — First there was a fire. Now there are friends.
A Poteet man who lost everything in a fast-moving Sunday night fire is getting help from a new state law and a loving community in Atascosa County.
The new tax rule has a long name and the potential for a big impact.
“Temporary Exemption for a Residence Homestead Destroyed by Fire” is the provision that became effective Jan. 1. It allows homeowners to file a certified application under Tax Code Section 11.351.
Historically, when Texas tax rolls were certified, homeowners were responsible for paying the specified amount.
Now, with the exemption, property owners can catch a break if they provide documentation about a loss.
For Charles Hale, the loss came quickly.
In the bitter cold Sunday night, a fireplace that hadn’t been used in a while caught the whole house on fire, leaving it a total loss.
Hale was left with house slippers and a borrowed jacket.
“We thought we would have to pay the full taxes for the whole year even though there was nothing left here,” said Nancy Hale.
She said it was a distressing thought when the loss from the blaze had already caused such a great hardship.
“It was just so unfair that 25 days of ownership at that rate, and then over 300 days that you have to pay the full appraisal amount for it,” she added.
When she learned of the law change, Nancy called it a “huge relief!”
“I believe we just have to turn in information from the fire chief out here, and that should take care of that.”
Nancy, who retired from Southwest ISD, says former coworkers, friends and family are helping Charles rebuild his life.
The first wave of volunteers will help with the heavy lifting.
“Charles has a whole bunch of folks that say as soon as he’s ready to get the big dumpsters, and bring them out here, they’re going to come in and help him clean out everything and see if there’s anything in there that’s salvageable.”
Another group is already gathering up essential supplies for daily living.
“He needs physical things like clothing and just things to help him replace everything that he’s lost,” Nancy said. “I was just very impressed that there’s so many people that are willing to help.”
Impressed, but not surprised, she said, “There’s so many good people out here. It’s worthwhile to live in a smaller community. In a smaller, more country like environment out here people care about each other still and you don’t always see that in the big cities.”
Gratitude in the face of loss is helping them cope, Nancy said.
“Charles has always helped so many people throughout his lifetime and I just kind of thought, ‘Well, you know, people nowadays have so many things that are going on in their lives that it’s hard for them sometimes to afford to help,” she said. “So to me, even just the prayers and the positive thoughts help.”
Brandi Royal is the chief appraiser for the Atascosa Central Appraisal District. She said she would be happy to help the family with the process of filling out the exemption paperwork.