Recently, SERCAP’s Housing Department assisted a low-income senior man living in Rockingham County, VA. He had lived in his home for over 25 years but just recently began experiencing difficulty with his septic system, and it turned out that his septic system had failed. However, due to the client’s low-income status, he was unable to afford the cost of replacing the septic system on his own without causing serious financial hardship. Fortunately, he was referred to SERCAP’s Housing Department by one of the agency’s Region 5 Indoor Plumbing & Rehabilitation (IPR) Committee Members, and the agency was able to qualify him for financial assistance under the IPR-Flex Program.
Construction for the project was awarded to Coles Construction for $60,707.00, the full cost of this rehabilitation project. In addition to installing a new septic system, SERCAP’s Housing Department also approved several other critical repairs, including: installing new steps for the front porch, repairing holes in the ceilings of the upstairs rooms, installing GFCI outlets near the sinks throughout the house, installing smoke detectors, repairing the foundation, and more. The construction for the project was completed recently, and now the client has an affordable home that is warm, safe, and dry, with a fully functioning and environmentally sound septic system.
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.