Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program

What is Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Martinsburg, West Virginia, administered by Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle (Habitat EP).

• Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle provides low-income families in Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson Counties a zero-interest mortgage amortized over 20 years (payments include insurance and property tax) on a Habitat-built home. Partner families must complete 500 hours of sweat equity before occupancy and live in substandard housing they cannot afford to replace through conventional financing.
• 0% interest mortgage.
• 20-year term.
• Payment includes taxes and insurance.
• Sweat equity replaces down payment.
• Ongoing budgeting/maintenance guidance.
• Funding comes from Habitat for Humanity (nonprofit; donated funds, materials, volunteer labor).

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle (Habitat EP).

• The assistance is recorded in First position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program sets its income limit as follows: Low-income range based on HUD annual median family income for the Eastern Panhandle; all or part of income may be public assistance.

• The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
• Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family.

• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle (Habitat EP), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through Homeowners education class (counted within sweat equity hours).

2. 2

   Contact Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle (Habitat EP) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

3. 3

   Work with a lender who handles the program

   Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.