We, the undersigned homeowners and residents of Indian River County, Florida, respectfully ask for immediate action to help homeowners who are required to remain on septic systems but cannot afford the cost of replacing their systems.

Many homeowners who cannot connect to centralized sewer may be required to replace aging septic systems with newer, upgraded systems. The cost of such a replacement can be approximately $25,000 or more, depending on the property and system required.

For many low-income, elderly, and fixed-income homeowners, this is an impossible financial burden.

The problem does not end with the installation.

Upgraded septic systems can also require ongoing maintenance costing approximately $2,100 per year, or about $175 per month.

For a homeowner living on Social Security or another fixed income, an unexpected $25,000+ expense followed by more than $2,000 every year can threaten the homeowner's ability to remain in their home.

WE ARE NOT ASKING TO IGNORE ENVIRONMENTAL OR PUBLIC-HEALTH REQUIREMENTS.

We understand the importance of protecting Florida's groundwater, waterways, public health, and environment.

We are asking our elected officials to recognize that environmental compliance must also be financially achievable for ordinary homeowners. A homeowner should not have to choose between: Paying for a required septic upgrade; Paying property taxes and homeowners insurance; Buying food and medication; Paying utility bills; or Remaining in the home they have worked hard to own and maintain.

THEREFORE, WE ASK OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO:

1. Open financial assistance programs immediately, rather than waiting until the last minute, so eligible homeowners have enough time to apply, receive approval, and complete required septic work.

2. Establish or expand grants specifically for low-income and senior homeowners who are required to replace septic systems.

3. Provide deferred-payment or forgivable loans for homeowners who cannot afford the upfront cost.

4. Create hardship assistance based on household income, rather than requiring homeowners to take on unaffordable debt.

5. Explore state, county, federal, and nonprofit funding that can be used to help homeowners pay for required septic replacements.

6. Consider assistance with the ongoing maintenance costs of upgraded septic systems for homeowners on fixed or very low incomes.

7. Allow qualifying homeowners to defer repayment until the property is sold or transferred, where appropriate, rather than requiring unaffordable monthly payments.

8. Ensure that elderly and low-income homeowners are not forced out of their homes solely because they cannot afford a government-required wastewater upgrade.

9. Provide clear, timely information to Indian River County homeowners about every grant, loan, hardship program, and other source of assistance available to help with septic replacement, and open application periods as early as possible.

OUR REQUEST

We respectfully ask Governor, state, and local officials to work together to create a realistic solution for Indian River County homeowners who are required to remain on septic but cannot afford these costs.

Protecting Florida's environment and protecting Florida's homeowners should not have to be mutually exclusive.

We believe there is a way to accomplish both.

We ask you to listen to the homeowners who are facing this financial burden now, open assistance programs immediately rather than waiting until deadlines are near, and take action before people lose the homes they have worked their entire lives to keep.