West Virginia First-Time Buyer Programs

West Virginia Housing Development Fund (HDF) Programs:

The West Virginia Housing Development Fund (HDF) offers 30‑year fixed mortgages through approved lenders plus down payment/closing cost assistance for eligible buyers. Income and purchase price limits are county‑specific and some counties are designated "targeted" (first‑time requirement waived). Always confirm program details and current rates with an HDF‑approved lender or the Fund. See the WVHDF homebuyer pages for official limits and program PDFs: WVHDF Home Buyers and the 2025–26 Income & House Price Limits (WVHDF).

West Virginia First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Programs:

Eligibility: First-time buyers (generally no ownership in past 3 years unless buying in a targeted county); income limits apply by county.
Offerings: 30‑year fixed mortgages (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) through WVHDF programs and partner lenders; can pair with WVHDF down payment assistance when eligible.
Requirements / typical ranges:

• Income limits: County‑specific; check the WVHDF limits PDF for exact household limits and purchase price caps. (WVHDF limits).
• Minimum credit score: Varies by loan type and WVHDF overlays. WVHDF underwriting guidance commonly shows conventional minimums around 640 and representative FHA overlays at about 620 for Fund-insured locks — confirm with your lender. (WVHDF procedural guide).
• Debt‑to‑income (DTI): Conventional WVHDF packaging typically expects DTI near or below 41%; WVHDF memos limit FHA‑insured Fund locks to under 50% (49.99%). Lenders may have stricter overlays. (WVHDF notices).
• Homebuyer education is required for many WVHDF loans; mandatory counseling providers are listed on the Fund site.

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Options:

WVHDF Low Down Home Loan: The Fund's statewide down payment/closing cost assistance product (the Low Down Home Loan) is available with the Homeownership or Movin' Up programs. The Fund's public materials note assistance levels up to about $8,000 for eligible borrowers (program terms and availability vary by lender and date). See WVHDF Low Down Home Loan for program details and current guidance.

Other HOME or ADDI funds occasionally used by local jurisdictions can be larger in dollar terms but are awarded locally and change year to year. Always verify exact DPA amounts and whether assistance is a forgivable grant or a deferred second loan with the local program administrator or Fund partner lender.

Local / County Examples:

Local HOME or city programs often layer with the WVHDF or federal loans. Funding is limited and changes with annual HOME/CDBG allocations. Check the local contacts below before assuming availability.

Charleston / Kanawha County

Charleston HOME Blend (MOECD): City of Charleston's HOME Blend provides forgivable HOME assistance to qualifying buyers within city limits. The MOECD page describes a forgivable second loan structure, income caps, and program rules. See the City of Charleston program page for full details and contact info: Charleston HOME Programs.

Huntington / Cabell County

Cabell‑Huntington‑Wayne (CHWHC) HOMEbuyer Assistance: The Cabell‑Huntington‑Wayne Housing Consortium HOMEbuyer Assistance Program is administered by the City of Huntington. Official CHWHC materials state the Consortium may provide up to 25% of the purchase price, not to exceed $25,000, as a 0% HOME loan to cover down payment and closing costs (subject to HOME value and program rules). See the official CHWHC application and program PDF: CHWHC Homebuyer Assistance (City of Huntington PDF).

Morgantown / Monongalia County

Morgantown / FMHA programs: Morgantown and the Fairmont‑Morgantown Housing Authority operate local down payment and homebuyer counseling programs. Local assistance amounts in the area are often in the range of about $5,000 to $12,000 depending on funding and program year; confirm current caps and application steps with the City of Morgantown or the Fairmont‑Morgantown Housing Authority (local CAPERs and municipal pages discuss recent activity). See city CAPER and local housing authority contacts listed on the City of Morgantown site for official steps.

Additional Information:

• USDA Loans: USDA Single Family Housing programs can offer no‑down‑payment mortgages in eligible rural areas; eligibility and income limits are county‑based. See USDA RD Single Family Housing.
• VA Loans: VA purchase loans typically allow 0% down for eligible veterans and service members (certificate of eligibility required). See VA Purchase Loan (VA.gov).
• FHA Loans: FHA loans commonly allow a 3.5% minimum down payment for borrowers with qualifying credit (national guidance shows 580+ for 3.5% down), but WVHDF may apply overlays — always verify lender and WVHDF overlays. See FHA guidance: FHA minimum credit/down payment guidance.

Always confirm program availability, exact income and purchase price limits, and current DPA dollars with an HDF‑approved lender, the local housing authority, or the WVHDF website: wvhdf.com.

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