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Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County)

Marshall County HOME Administrator, Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium administered by the City of Wheeling · Marshall County, West Virginia

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See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$10,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 5 years

What is Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County)?

Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Marshall County, West Virginia, administered by Marshall County HOME Administrator, Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium administered by the City of Wheeling.

  • Marshall County participates in the Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program, offering up to $10,000 in HOME funds toward down payment and closing costs as a deferred, 0% interest, forgivable loan. After 5 years of owner-occupancy, the loan converts to a grant.
  • Up to $10,000 in deferred, 0% interest, forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance; loan becomes a grant after 5 years of owner-occupancy.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds (Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium).

How much assistance does it provide?

Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County) offers up to $10,000 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: Borrower must contribute at least $500 of their own funds toward down payment or closing costs.
  • The program can be combined with First mortgage financing; potentially WVHDF programs.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Marshall County HOME Administrator, Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium administered by the City of Wheeling determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County) is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Prorated repayment if the borrower sells, transfers, or ceases to occupy the home as a primary residence before completing the 5-year owner-occupancy period; after 5 years the deferred loan converts to a grant.
  • The assistance is recorded in Second position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Applicant must never have owned a home before (strict first-time homebuyer requirement).
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Not specified; applicant must be prequalified for mortgage financing.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through CHIP (304-233-0953); CHANGE, Inc. (304-797-7733); Family Service Credit Counseling (304-232-6733); Community Action Commission of Belmont County (740-695-0293)
  • Residency: Home must be a vacant single-family home under contract located within Marshall County.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-14): pending review. Strict never-owned-a-home requirement. $50 refundable application fee plus $500 minimum borrower contribution. Property must be a vacant single-family home in Marshall County, under contract, passing HOME inspection. Posted income limits are outdated (2008); current-year HUD Section 8 limits must be re-verified before publishing.

The program excludes

  • Households above 80% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Total annual household income must not exceed HUD Section 8 Income Limits for the Wheeling/Ohio/Marshall County area (~80% AMI). Current-year limits must be confirmed; only outdated 2008 figures are posted on the Wheeling site.
  • 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?

Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County) caps the purchase price as follows: Not published; subject to HOME maximum purchase price limits and lender requirements.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family.

Where does it apply?

Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County) is a federal program, so it is not limited to West Virginia.

How do you apply?

Applications for Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program (Marshall County) go through Marshall County HOME Administrator, Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium administered by the City of Wheeling, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through CHIP (304-233-0953); CHANGE, Inc. (304-797-7733); Family Service Credit Counseling (304-232-6733); Community Action Commission of Belmont County (740-695-0293).

  2. Contact Marshall County HOME Administrator, Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium administered by the City of Wheeling to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Apply through the Marshall County HOME Administrator; home must be under contract within Marshall County; subject to fund availability., and are subject to availability.

  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.

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