Many West Virginians who live within city limits probably don’t give a second thought to their wastewater. But those who live in more rural areas may rely on underground septic systems that are old, damaged, and failing.
The On-Site Systems Loan Program, a partnership between the Fund and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, offers assistance for homeowners who rely on these septic systems by providing loans to help them make necessary repairs or replacements to failing systems or connect to public lines. For rural homeowners, the On-Site Program is a game changer. 
“If you think about it, people take on all kinds of bills like cable or cell phones or car payments and they may not think they have an option for something like getting a septic replaced or hooking up to a public system,” said Jim Sweeney of Ohio County. “This program allows you to do that. If it fits in your budget, there is a way to get things done and avoid having a problem on your property.”
Sweeney and Samantha McBride, who lives near Elkins, both used OSLP to connect to public lines. Both households are just outside of city limits and were beyond the reach of existing wastewater lines until the homeowners heard of the On-Site Systems Loan Program.
“In my searching around for information, I stumbled across the Housing Development Fund site and thought at first it would just be for the septic but then I realized it would work out to help me hook up to the city system,” Sweeney said. “I called and got in touch with the Fund and everything worked out.”
Generally, loans through the program are capped at $10,000. Exceptions must be approved by DEP, which provides the funding. These loans are offered at 2 percent interest for 10 years. The program is only available to homeowners or long-term lessees who have occupied the residence for at least 12 months prior to application. The loans cannot be used in conjunction with new construction housing or manufactured housing set-up, and the home cannot be listed for sale at the time of application. The loans can help homeowners make necessary repairs to their aging or failing septics or hook up to public wastewater lines.
“OSLP is a great addition to the Fund’s loan programs because it allows homeowners to proactively address a problem that could have serious consequences otherwise,” said Jon Rogers, Senior Division Manager of the Fund’s Single-Family Lending Division. “This is also a growing program. In the past two and a half years, we’ve funded 25 of these loans and have 12 more in process right now, so more West Virginians are learning about this loan and how it helps make their properties safe and habitable now and in the future.”
McBride said she was so impressed with the loan process and the work done on her property that she wanted everyone in her neighborhood to know.
“I went to the water office and told them that they need to tell everyone about this program,” she said. “There are so many people like me who live close to the existing lines but don’t have the money right now to pay to connect, and this loan can really help them.”
Visit the On-Site Systems Loan Program page on our website for more information.