Partnership with Martin County Updates Homes, Reduces Maintenance Costs, and Preserves Watershed
FORT PIERCE, FL [December 17, 2024] – The Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF), the nation’s first local, nonprofit green bank and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has surpassed a milestone for the Martin County Septic to Sewer program. SELF has financed its 200th project! In partnership with Martin County’s Connect to Protect program, SELF’s Septic to Sewer financing offers homeowners an affordable way to modernize their water infrastructure, making their homes more resilient to effects of climate change that make septic systems especially vulnerable. While the program primarily aims to eliminate septic runoff, replacing outdated septic systems provides many additional benefits, including reducing environmental pollution, preserving the local watershed, and increasing property values by eliminating costly septic system maintenance and repairs.
SELF’s financing program makes these upgrades affordable with 10-year, unsecured loans at 8% interest that require no upfront cash or collateral. The $85 monthly payment is added to the customer’s utility bill.
“SELF’s financing assistance has been integral to the Martin County Connect to Protect program, allowing us to increase our connections throughout the county by 20%,” said David Duncan, Project Manager for Martin County Utilities.
SELF’s CEO, Duanne Andrade said, “SELF is so grateful for our partnership with Martin County on our innovative Septic to Sewer program. We’re proud to have made 200 homes safer and more resilient to impacts from climate change, while making modernized infrastructure improvements affordable. We look forward to serving many more Martin County residents!”
Christine Papke, SELF’s Septic to Sewer Program Manager, has been instrumental in the program’s success, handling the entire process and seamlessly coordinating between homeowners, contractors, and Martin County Utilities.
“Managing the Septic to Sewer program for SELF and assisting homeowners in implementing essential home infrastructure improvements that reduce expenses and enhance safety while benefitting the environment has been a very rewarding,” Christine said. “I look forward to continuing this impactful work and working with many more clients in Martin County.”
SELF will continue to serve Martin County residents with the septic to sewer and other innovative financing programs for sustainable home improvements as long as there is a need.
For more information about the Martin’s County Septic to Sewer Program, visit https://solarenergyloanfund.org/loan/martin-county-septic-to-sewer-loan/
To explore partnership options with SELF, contact: Doug Coward, Director National Expansion and Partnerships at dougc@solarenergyloanfund.org.
About SELF:
SELF’s mission is to rebuild and empower underserved communities by providing access to affordable and innovative financing for sustainable property improvements, including energy efficiency, storm-resilience, heat-resilience, solar, water/sewer, and more. Since 2010, SELF has financed $40 million of sustainable home improvement projects, including 3,500+ homes and helping more than 10,000 people. Visit https://solarenergyloanfund.org/ to learn more.
Media Contact:
Erin Autin
772.519.7810