Currently, SERCAP’s Housing Department is assisting a low-income family of five living in Page County, VA. The clients have lived in their home since 2006 (approximately 16 years), but just recently began experiencing difficulty with their individual household wastewater disposal system, specifically because of a failed septic system. However due to their low-income status, they were unable to afford the cost of replacing the existing failed septic system on their own without causing serious financial hardship.
Fortunately, the family was referred to SERCAP, and the agency’s Housing Department was able to qualify them for financial assistance through the IPR-Flex Program, which is funded by the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD). Following the initial housing inspection, SERCAP’s Rural Housing Specialist determined that the most cost effective solution would be a substantial reconstruction (demolition of the existing structure, and rebuilding the house), due to the poor condition of the home. The initial estimate to complete this project was $163,000. However, because of challenges in finding a well driller, recent cost increases for construction projects, and the geographic location of the property requiring a deep well and alternative septic system, the final project cost is now $204,453.
DHCD has strict cost limits for its IPR-Flex Program, and the increased costs for this project exceeded the program’s cost limits. SERCAP’s Housing Department reached out to several different funding sources and was able to acquire the additional monies needed, including: $30,000 from FAHE Home Funds, a $3,000 Essential & Critical Needs grant, $5,801.50 from SERCAP’s Water Is Life! Fund, and given the extenuating circumstances, DHCD even approved an additional $34,000 to complete the project. Construction for the project was awarded to Coles Construction, and is currently underway. Once the project is complete the clients will once again have an affordable home that is warm, safe, and dry, with both a new alternative septic system and a new well.
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 Is 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.