Sarah LaPonte moved to Braddock, a borough of Pittsburgh, from Portland. She bought this house for $700.

LaPonte, 26, stands on the porch of her home.

The still-operational U.S. Steel site is known as Mon Valley Works – Edgar Thomson Plant. It dwarfs the home of Sarah LaPonte, the place with the mauve porch, visible in the background.

LaPonte lets her dog in.

It may not look like much yet but this is her livingroom/kitchen.

A local man donated the used insulation LaPonte is using in the walls of her home.

Locals are helping LaPonte learn to do the wiring her home needs.

A sign dominates the wall of the livingroom.

Stairs leading to the second floor

So far everything is open concept.