Homebuyer Assistance Program

The Home Blend loan is a 10-year loan that is forgiven monthly at a 0% interest rate.

Clients must occupy the property during the term of this loan. If the property is sold or the occupant moves prior to the 10-year expiration the remaining loan balance will become due and payable to the City of Charleston.

General Requirements for the HOME Blend program are as follows:

•   Applicant must be able to qualify for a mortgage based on individual family income/debt ratio and credit.
•   The applicant must obtain a bank loan from a participating lender.
•   HOME Program will loan the remaining project cost plus assist with closing costs based on individual qualification.
•   Purchaser must invest a minimum of $500, however closing cost can exceed this amount.
•   Applicant must have an acceptable credit report.
•   Applicant must successfully complete an approved home-buyer education workshop.

The maximum loan amount a client can qualify for is $128,000.00. Each client will borrow 80% of their funds from a participating lender and the additional 20% is provided as a forgivable loan over a 10-year period. This loan has a 0% interest rate.

To help identify a first-time home buyer, we are clarifying the definition of what constitutes a first-time home buyer.

• A first-time home buyer is an individual who has had no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property. This includes a spouse (if either meets the above test, they are considered first-time homebuyers).

Income limits are as follows:

1-person household must make less than $37,200.00 per year,

2-person household must make less than $42,500.00 per year,

3-person household must make less than $47,800.00 per year,

4-person household must make less than $53,100.00 per year

Families over 4 people can contact our office at 304-348-8035 for more information.

*Income guidelines are subject to change without notice*

Annual income includes all income received by the household including overtime or irregular earnings. This includes social security, SSI, retirement, pensions, interest from savings accounts or stocks, part-time/occasional employment, child support.

The Home Blend program is designed to assist with the purchase of single-family existing houses only (townhouses are acceptable)
Single-family homes must meet the following criteria:

•   The selling price is equal to or less than the appraisal value.
•   The home must pass a housing inspection and environmental review.
•   Must be existing home that meets Charleston City Code.

New construction, mobile homes, or condominium cannot be funded with HOME funds.

You can Download the complete Home Blend Brochure here

Charleston Owner-Occupied Rehab Program (CORP

Individuals and/or families who live in the City of Charleston WV and qualify as very low or low income, which is considered 50% or below median income, will have loans processed as a forgivable loan.

Individuals and/or families who qualify as low to moderate income which is considered 51% to 80% of median income will have loans processed as a repayment loan. This type of loan will be known as a payable loan.

The Charleston Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program (CORP), funded through the City Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, provides assistance and incentive to individuals and/or families to keep their homes in good repair and in compliance with the Charleston City Code and HUD’s Section 8 Existing House Code. This program provides funding and general contractors to complete needed repairs

Requirements for housing repair assistance is as follows:

•   Must be corrective construction work
•   Must be Owner Occupied at least 1 year
•   Income Limits Apply
•   Must be in Charleston city limits
•   The deed/ mortgage must be in the owner’s name

Income limits are as follows:

1-person household must make less than $37,200.00 per year,

2-person household must make less than $42,500.00 per year,

3-person household must make less than $47,800.00 per year,

4-person household must make less than $53,100.00 per year

Families over 4 people can contact our office at 304-348-8035 for more information.

*Income guidelines are subject to change without notice*

Repairs are limited to corrective maintenance work that will eliminate code violations.

Examples of repairs that qualify include, but not limited to:

•   Roofing
•   Window
•   Siding
•   Porch
•   Heating
•   Electrical
•   Plumbing

Examples of repairs that DO NOT qualify include, structural repairs, mold removal, or lead abatement.

You can download the complete Corp Rehab Brochure here

Contractors interested in performing rehabilitation work through the CORP Program must meet the following minimum requirements prior to being eligible to bid and preform rehabilitation projects:

•   Current, HUD approved, 40-hour lead supervisor training.
•   Current, General contracting license from the State and the City.
•   Current, proof of liability insurance, workers compensation.
•   Be in good standing with state tax.
•   Contractor cannot be delinquent or in default on city B&O.

This list is subject to change.

Emergency Owner-Occupied Rehab Program

The Emergency Rehabilitation Grant Program, funded through the City Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, provides emergency assistance to eligible homeowners within the city limits of Charleston. The purpose of the Emergency Rehabilitation Grant Program is to provide assistance to the very low to moderate income homeowners in the City of Charleston and is defined as follows:

Swift action required to safeguard against a code deficiency and/or life safety hazard that unless corrected immediately would pose a threat to the health and safety of the residents of the dwelling, or to protect property from further structural damage.

The following violations will be considered for repair:

1.   Defective plumbing – includes hot water tanks, water service lines, or broken interior lines.
2.   Defective wiring – only if without repair it could cause life safety issues
3.   Defective furnace or heating system from October 1st to March 30th.
4.   Window replacement – individual windows panes that are broken due to recent events.
5.   Gas service lines – located on the property of the owner that have resulted in a disconnect

MOECD shall have final determination as to what is considered eligible repairs under this program.

*There is a loan limit of $5000.00 and the home must be owner occupied.

*All CORP Regular Rehab requirements apply except the need for homeowner’s insurance.

Community Housing Development Fund (CHDO) Financing

HOME also helps foster the growth and capacity of local nonprofits by requiring that each Participating Jurisdiction (PJ) sets aside 15 percent of its allocation to fund housing that will be owned, developed, or sponsored by entities designated as Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO’s) These are private, nonprofit agencies organized under State or local law, accountable to the community they serve, and committed to and experienced in providing decent, safe, and affordable housing for low income people.

HUD requires that a minimum of 15% of awarded funds are spent by CHDO. Currently the City funds these organizations to development new construction housing for single family residence. These properties must be sold to applicants that qualify under the HOME Blend program rules.

Housing Programs