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WVHDF Homeownership Program

West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) · West Virginia

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See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Income limit

$57,040

The household income limit the program publishes

Price cap

$350,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

What is WVHDF Homeownership Program?

WVHDF Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in West Virginia, administered by West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF).

  • The WVHDF Homeownership Program is the Fund's signature first-mortgage program, primarily targeting lower-income first-time home buyers and generally offering the Fund's lowest interest rates. These 30-year, fixed-rate loans can finance up to 100% of the home's purchase price and provide access to the Fund's Low Down Home Loan down payment/closing cost assistance. Income and sales-price limits vary by county, and the first-time buyer requirement is waived in federally targeted counties.
  • Lowest WVHDF interest rates.
  • 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage.
  • Up to 100% financing of purchase price.
  • Access to the Low Down Home Loan (up to $15,000 at 2% for down payment/closing costs).
  • Accepts FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional/PMI loans.
  • First-time buyer requirement waived in targeted counties.
  • Funding comes from Tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds issued by WVHDF.

Do you have to pay it back?

WVHDF Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF).

  • 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?

WVHDF Homeownership Program 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: In federally targeted counties, the three-year prior-ownership prohibition does not apply (first-time buyer requirement waived). The first-time buyer requirement applies only in non-targeted counties. Former/current primary residence ownership is allowed with some Fund loans; borrowers should consult a loan officer.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No published hard minimum; generally a score in the low- to mid-600s can be acceptable, but multiple factors impact qualification. Borrowers should complete a pre-qualification with a loan officer.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Homebuyer Education/Counseling is required on conventionally insured or uninsured loans (free interactive course via Fannie Mae HomeView at fanniemae.com/education). On government-insured loans (FHA, VA, USDA), follow the insuring agency's homebuyer education guidelines. HUD-certified counseling agencies are also available.
  • Residency: Home must be purchased in West Virginia
  • Federal recapture tax may apply (9-year period). Cosigners not permitted. Lot size must be 5 acres or smaller. Only doublewide (no singlewide) manufactured homes eligible. Construction financing not available (permanent financing of new builds only). Min credit score, max DTI, max liquid assets, rate lock period, points/fees, and annual funding cap were not published on official sources and are left blank. Exact per-county income figures by household size are in the official limits PDF; the current 4-person figure was not separately broken out by household size on the source, so income_limit_amount reflects the most common county income limit ($57,040) rather than a confirmed 4-person value.

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $350,000 price cap
  • Households above $57,040

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?

WVHDF Homeownership Program limits household income to $57,040.

  • 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?

WVHDF Homeownership Program caps the purchase price at $350,000.

  • Eligible property types include single-family detached, townhome, condominium (approved), unit in approved Planned Unit Development (PUD), and doublewide manufactured home (post-1976).
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

WVHDF Homeownership Program names veterans among the groups it serves.

  • Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

WVHDF Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing anywhere in West Virginia.

  • The program targets specific areas: WVHDF designates federally targeted counties where the first-time homebuyer (3-year prior ownership) requirement is waived. Targeted counties per the 2025-26 limits PDF include: Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jackson, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mineral, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wyoming.

How do you apply?

Applications for WVHDF Homeownership Program go through West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Homebuyer Education/Counseling is required on conventionally insured or uninsured loans (free interactive course via Fannie Mae HomeView at fanniemae.com/education). On government-insured loans (FHA, VA, USDA), follow the insuring agency's homebuyer education guidelines. HUD-certified counseling agencies are also available..

  2. Contact West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Loans are reserved/locked by WVHDF Partner Lenders through the PowerLender system (wvhdf.powerlender.com), 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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