Blog/News
Recently, SERCAP’s Certified CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) Loan Fund assisted a low-income single man living in Henry County, VA, to replace his septic system. Shortly after purchasing his home, he began experiencing difficulties with his septic system. Due to an addition to the basement, the system was not installed deep enough into the ground, and tree roots were growing through it. Wastewater began overflowing from his septic system into the bathroom in the basement, creating a nuisance and a health hazard. However, due to his low-income status he was unable to afford the cost of replacing his septic system on his own...
Currently, SERCAP's Housing Department is assisting an elderly woman living in Buckingham County, VA, to completely rehabilitate her home through the agency’s Indoor Plumbing and Rehabilitation Flex (IPR-Flex) program. The client has been living in her home for 49 years, but the structure did not meet multiple HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS), and was in desperate need of several significant repairs. However, due to her low-income status, she was unable to afford the cost of the repairs on her own. Fortunately, she was referred to SERCAP by her local Department of Social Services (DSS), and the agency was able to qualify her for assistance through the IPR-Flex program...
Currently, SERCAP’s Regional Program is assisting several communities throughout the commonwealth of Virginia to create, update, and/or recreate their Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) and Security Vulnerability Assessments (SVAs). Every three years, Community Water Systems across the Commonwealth are required to certify their ERPs and SVAs with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Maintaining up-to-date ERPs and SVAs is a water/wastewater utility best practice, however, USDA Rural Development (RD) also requires that systems have updated certified ERPs and SVAs to apply for USDA RD funding. In addition to the USDA RD requirements, the preparation of ERPs and SVAs helps to improve the management of the utility and will increase the system’s ability to respond to emergencies...
Currently, SERCAP’s Essential & Critical Needs Program is assisting a low-income elderly woman living in Louisa County, VA, to have the well-pump at her home replaced. SERCAP’s Essential & Critical Needs Program provides eligible low-to-moderate income (LMI) homeowners with small grants to address critical water and wastewater needs. Over the past two months, this client has been experiencing difficulties with the well-pump attached to her individual household well. However, due to her low-income status she was unable to afford the cost of replacing the part on her own without causing serious financial hardship...
Currently, SERCAP’s Certified CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) Loan Fund is assisting a low-income single man living in Montgomery County, VA, to have a new individual household well installed at his home. Recently, he began experiencing difficulties with his existing well, which has gone dry, and is in need of replacement. However, due to his low-income status, he could not afford the cost of having a new well drilled on his own and therefore reached out to SERCAP for some financial assistance...
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...
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Justice is: “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” ...
Currently, SERCAP’s Regional Program is funding the installation of a new touch-less water filling station for the students, faculty, and staff at Sugar Grove Elementary School in Smyth County, VA. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, traditional drinking fountains are no longer being used in public schools, instead they have been replaced by touch-less water filling or hydration stations...
Currently, SERCAP’s Facilities Development Grant Program is providing both Technical Assistance (TA) and Financial Assistance (FA) to support an 80-year-old Water Treatment Plant located in the Town of Fries in Grayson County, Virginia...
Currently, SERCAP’s Certified CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) Loan Fund is assisting a low-income man, who is living with a disability, in Pittsylvania County, VA, to get a new individual household well installed at his home. Recently, he began experiencing several issues with his old well, including having very low water pressure or no water pressure at all...