West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin recently announced the first loan closing under the West Virginia’s Onsite Systems Loan Program, a $1 million low-interest loan program that offers families an opportunity to solve on-site sewer problems.
Manchin and West Virginia Housing Development Fund Executive Director Joe Hatfield in July announced the partnership between the West Virginia Housing Development Fund and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The program was created to improve wastewater treatment for families with failing sewage systems.
“This is a perfect example of two state entities working together to solve a problem,” Manchin said. “DEP is bringing its resources and the Housing Development Fund its expertise to solve a health and environmental problem that will help to improve our quality of life.”
“The Housing Development Fund will use its large non-profit housing network to find the families and originate the loans. SHED, a McDowell County nonprofit, was the originator of this first loan,” Hatfield said.
DEP Cabinet Secretary Stephanie R. Timmermeyer said the loan program will go a long way toward improving water quality. “Inadequate household sewage systems pose a big water quality issue, and the more people take advantage of this program, the more West Virginia will be able to promote a healthy environment,” she said.
The program helps homeowners repair or replace malfunctioning septic systems or assists in the financing of connections to newly constructed sewer systems by providing a loan of $10,000 maximum to the eligible homeowner. There are no income or property value limits. The interest rate is 2% over 10 years.
Source: All American Patriots