PennVEST, PA Housing Finance Agency Offer Septic System Repair, Sewer Hookup Loans

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and the PA Housing Finance Agency Wednesday reminded homeowners they offer an affordable loan for on-lot septic system repair or replacement, or first-time sewer connection.

The Homeowner Septic Program has been made more customer-friendly than ever thanks to:

-- Expanded eligibility criteria;

-- A streamlined application process;

-- Loan amounts now up to $25,000 for all homes (including manufactured homes);

-- Coverage for first-time connection to a public sewer; and

-- No prepayment penalty.

"Repair or replacement of an on-lot septic system, or connection to a public sewer system, can be expensive and sometimes comes as an unexpected necessity," said PennVEST Executive Director Brion Johnson. "We developed this loan program with PHFA as a way to help homeowners who might find themselves in a financial bind when faced with this situation. The added benefit is that well-functioning septic systems that are promoted under this loan program protect the quality of our shared water resources, too."

The success of the Homeowner Septic Program would not be possible without support from lending organizations that originate the loans. Participants that have recently joined with PennVEST and PHFA to support this program include:

-- Liberty Mortgage Corporation, Erie; serving all of Pennsylvania under this program.

-- The Muncy National Bank, Muncy; serving Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Sullivan and Union counties.

-- Widget Financial Credit Union, Erie; serving Crawford and Erie counties.

-- American Bank, Allentown; serving Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Northampton counties.

-- Erie FCU, Erie; serving Crawford and Erie counties.

-- Members' Choice Financial Credit Union, Danville; serving Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties.

Click Here to contact lenders.

"We join PennVEST in thanking these lenders for helping us support homeowners facing expenses related to their home septic system or first-time sewer connection," said PHFA's Executive Director and CEO Brian A. Hudson Sr. "They help us to promote and carry out this loan program, and the assistance it provides for Pennsylvania homeowners would not be possible without their participation and support. This is an example of a public-private partnership that works to the benefit of Pennsylvanians."

For more information or to start the PennVEST application process, homeowners should contact a participating lender or PHFA at 1-855-U-Are-Home (827-3466), then press "0" to be connected with the agency's Customer Solutions Center.

Click Here to learn more about the PennVEST Homeowner Septic Program online.

If you are a lending institution interested in participating, Click Here.