West Virginia’s Housing Development Fund pairs a low-rate Homeownership loan — with up to 100% financing — with a Low Down Home Loan that provides up to $12,000 toward your down payment and closing costs.
This guide covers what is actually available to first-time buyers in West Virginia in 2026 — the agency behind these programs, the loans and down payment help on offer, who qualifies, and how to apply. For the wider local picture, see our West Virginia first-time home buyer guide.
The the WV Housing Development Fund and its home loan programs
West Virginia’s first-time buyer programs are run by the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF). Like most housing finance agencies, it does not lend directly — instead it offers below-market first mortgages, bundled with down payment help, through a network of approved local lenders. Its main first-mortgage options are:
- Homeownership Program — the flagship 30-year fixed loan, primarily for first-time buyers, with the lowest rates and up to 100% financing
- Movin’ Up Program — for moderate-income first-time or repeat buyers, with no first-time requirement
Most of these can be built on top of an FHA, VA, or USDA loan, or a conventional loan, depending on the product you pick — and the real value comes when you pair one with the down payment assistance below.
Down payment assistance in West Virginia
Down payment assistance is the heart of what the WV Housing Development Fund offers, and West Virginia gives buyers more than one way to get it. Assistance comes as a second loan, with a defined Low Down option and a secondary DPA loan.
- Low Down Home Loan — repayable second (2% fixed, 15-year term), up to $12,000 for down payment and closing costs, available only with a WVHDF first mortgage.
- Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance Loan — repayable second, a secondary DPA loan paired with the Homeownership or Movin’ Up program (amount varies — verify with WVHDF).
If those terms are unfamiliar, our national guide to down payment assistance explains exactly how grants, forgivable second mortgages, and deferred loans differ — and what each one means when you eventually sell or refinance.
How much help could you get?
On a $220,000 home in West Virginia, the Low Down Home Loan can provide up to $12,000 toward your down payment and closing costs — a second mortgage at a low 2% fixed rate over 15 years, available when paired with a WVHDF first mortgage. Combined with up to 100% financing on the Homeownership Program, it can bring your cash to close down substantially. Confirm current terms with the WV Housing Development Fund.
Who qualifies in West Virginia?
Every program sets its own rules, and they change periodically, but the common requirements in West Virginia look like this:
- Income limits. County-specific income limits apply, and your income must not exceed the county maximum.
- First-time status. The Homeownership Program targets first-time buyers; Movin’ Up has no first-time requirement.
- Credit score. Scores in the low-to-mid 600s are generally acceptable. Our guide to credit score requirements covers what moves the needle.
- Homebuyer education. Homebuyer education is generally required — verify specifics with the fund.
- Purchase price limits. County-specific acquisition-cost/purchase-price limits apply.
West Virginia programs worth knowing about
Beyond the standard offerings, West Virginia aims extra help at specific buyers and places. Watch for:
- Movin’ Up — for moderate-income move-up buyers
- Low Down Home Loan — up to $12,000 at a low 2% fixed rate
Mortgage Credit Certificates in West Virginia
The WV Housing Development Fund delivers assistance through its down payment second loans rather than a Mortgage Credit Certificate — verify with the fund if a tax credit is important to you. A Mortgage Credit Certificate is a federal tax credit worth a percentage of the mortgage interest you pay every year for the life of the loan, and where it is available it can usually be combined with the assistance above — putting money back in your pocket each tax season.
How to apply for West Virginia assistance
- Set your budget first. Our home affordability guide helps you land on a realistic price range before you start shopping.
- Complete a homebuyer education course. Nearly every West Virginia program requires one, and it is usually free and available online.
- Find a participating lender. Not every lender originates the WV Housing Development Fund loans, so ask directly which the WV Housing Development Fund programs a lender offers and have them run your numbers against a few.
- Get pre-approved and lock in the right program for your income, credit, and target home before you make an offer.
One important note: the WV Housing Development Fund program funding and terms change from year to year, and some assistance rounds close when the money runs out. Always confirm current amounts and availability directly with the WV Housing Development Fund before you count on a specific figure. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your process on track.
West Virginia first-time buyer programs FAQ
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get assistance in West Virginia?
The Homeownership Program targets first-time buyers; Movin’ Up has no first-time requirement.
What credit score do I need for the WV Housing Development Fund programs?
Scores in the low-to-mid 600s are generally acceptable. Keep in mind a program’s own minimum can sit above the loan’s floor, so confirm the exact number with your lender.
Can I use West Virginia assistance with an FHA, VA, or USDA loan?
Yes. the WV Housing Development Fund assistance is built to layer on top of a first mortgage, and FHA, VA, and USDA loans are common partners because their own down payment requirements are already low. Your lender structures both pieces so they close together.
What is West Virginia’s Low Down Home Loan?
The Low Down Home Loan is a second mortgage worth up to $12,000 toward your down payment and closing costs, at a low 2% fixed rate over a 15-year term. It is available only alongside a WV Housing Development Fund first mortgage. Paired with the Homeownership Program’s up-to-100% financing, it can bring your cash to close down significantly. Confirm current terms with the fund.
First-time home buyer grants in West Virginia
Looking specifically for grant money? Our guide to first-time home buyer grants in West Virginia covers which programs are true grants, which are forgivable, and the truth about the widely advertised federal grant.