The Commission on Aging is highlighting the many valuable local services available to older citizens. Very few seniors in Louisa County are familiar with the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP) which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life for low-to-moderate income individuals and seniors living in the Southeast United States. Although SERCAP is located in Roanoke, Virginia, it serves Louisa County. SERCAP counsels individuals and/or groups on renting, foreclosure prevention, building or improving your credit, budgeting, identity theft prevention, and home maintenance education.
1. SERCAP offers an Aging in Place Services Program that provides support services if you wish to continue living at home as long as possible. Whether you need just a few simple changes or a major remodel, the Aging in Place program can provide a complete adaptive design solution. SERCAP offers affordable options for your personal situation, including bathroom remodeling, handrails, wheelchair ramps, and adaptive kitchen remodeling.
2. SERCAP’s Indoor Plumbing Rehabilitation Program may be able to help if you need your plumbing updated. SERCAP Rural Housing Specialists inspect the homes and determine if a bathroom can be added, existing plumbing can be refurbished or replaced, or if substantial reconstruction is warranted.
3. SERCAP’s Residential Lead Service-line Replacement Program provides grants up to $2,500.00 toward the costs of replacing the lead service-lines coming into the home for eligible low-to-moderate income homeowners. You can obtain more detailed information about the program by visiting the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Referrals and Partnerships page.
4. SERCAP’s Individual Household Well Loan Program delivers low interest (1%) loans for up to $15,000 to residents of rural communities with populations under 50,000 to cover the cost of digging a new well or repairing an existing well.
5. SERCAP’s Home Improvement Loan Program offers loans of up to $15,000 to low and moderate income residents of rural communities to complete home improvement projects such as replacing faulty HVAC units and installing equipment to help people with disabilities. Affordable interest rates range from 3% to 6% based on your median household income. In addition, SERCAP accepts a lower credit score of 600 to increase borrower eligibility.
6. SERCAP’s Essential & Critical Needs Grant Program provides financial assistance for water and wastewater problems so your home is healthy and livable. The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides funding to SERCAP and other organizations to ensure grant funds and services are available to residents throughout of Virginia.
I successfully assisted my friend who is also a Louisa senior in obtaining a low interest loan to repair her well. She repaid that loan in full within 5-years with very affordable payments. So be sure to look into this excellent program for Louisa seniors with low and moderate incomes if you need any of these services at 540-345-1184, https://sercap.org or at their headquarters at 347 Campbell Ave. SW Roanoke, VA 24016.
Contributed by Gloria Pope, Patrick Henry District representative, Louisa County Commission on Aging
