Recently, SERCAP’s Housing Department assisted an extremely low-income family of two (2) living in Buckingham County, Virginia, to complete several critically needed repairs to their home. Built in 1954, one of the family members has been living in the home for 60 years, but recently it was becoming more and more apparent that the structure was in need of several critical repairs. However, due to the clients’ extremely low-income status (per HUD’s income guidelines) they were unable to afford the cost of the repairs without causing serious financial hardship. Fortunately, a family member conducted some online research and referred the clients to SERCAP for assistance.
Following an initial housing inspection, SERCAP’s Housing Team determined that the house lacked potable water, due to mud in the water caused by rain storms, and that it was also in need of several critical repairs. Between the lack of potable water, the overall condition of the house, and the clients’ extremely low-income status, they easily qualified for the Indoor Plumbing & Rehabilitation Flex (IPR-Flex) Program. Harvey Enterprise was awarded the project for the full $84,000.00 project cost, and construction began shortly after. The full housing rehabilitation project, included: installation of a new well, installation of a new roof, replacement of several windows, installation of new flooring throughout the house, installation of a new HVAC system, replacement of old waterlines, installation of several ADA features in the bathroom, and more. Now the clients once again have reliable access to potable water, and an affordable home that is warm, safe, and dry.
Without SERCAP’s full slate of Programs and Services, many rural communities and low-to-moderate income (LMI) individuals would be forced to go without such necessities as reliable access to clean drinking water, indoor plumbing, safe and affordable housing, community development and infrastructure needs, water/wastewater infrastructure solutions, and more. It is important to remember that even in the US in the 21st Century; there are those who do not have reliable access to clean, safe drinking water, environmentally sound septic facilities, and affordable housing. In order to help SERCAP continue to provide assistance to both the individuals and communities in need, please consider making a donation to SERCAP’s Water Life! Fund!
Donate Today: https://sercap.networkforgood.com/ (opens new window)
*SERCAP’s Housing Program is primarily made possible by the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development’s (DHCD) Indoor Plumbing & Rehabilitation Flex (IPR-Flex) Program, by County Funds (Budget Appropriations) from counties across the Commonwealth of Virginia, and by Program Income Funds from the IPR-Flex Program. Additionally, all of SERCAP’s programs in Virginia are leveraged by support from the Virginia Budget Appropriation, granted by the Virginia General Assembly and administered by DHCD.