CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The federal government is freeing up money for homeowners who may have been impacted by the pandemic when it comes to mortgage payments and other expenses.
The Justice administration announced the creation of the West Virginia Homeowners Rescue program during Monday’s coronavirus media briefing led by Gov. Jim Justice.
West Virginia House Development Fund Executive Director Erica Boggess said qualifying homeowners can receive up to $15,000 for past due mortgage payments, past due utility payments up to $2,500, past due insurance/property tax payments and other housing costs up to $5,000, $300 in internet assistance and $500 assistance on certain down payment loans.
Boggess said homeowners have to meet the income requirement which is 150% of the area median income or lower of where the person lives. Boggess said to be eligible the homeowner must have also suffered a COVID-related hardship.
She said those who have already paid off their mortgages can also receive funding.
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“Someone who owns their home right now and may have fallen behind on property taxes, for example, can get some benefit from this program,” Boggess aid.
Gov. Justice predicted homeowners would have a difficult time not qualifying for the federal funds.
“This is money coming from the federal government. This is like stuff falling from the sky,” Justice said.
The WVHDF will begin taking applications Monday, March 28.
The state continues to operate the renters assistance program that provides funding for both renters and landlords.
Variant watch
State Coronavirus Czar Dr. Clay Marsh said Monday the governor’s coronavirus task force is watching the second branch of the Omicron variant and its movement through Europe, particularly the United Kingdom.
Marsh said cases of BA.2 are increasing. He said it would be a good idea for West Virginians, especially those over 50 who aren’t vaccinated, to take note.
“This is really not to try to scare people but to give people a heads-up that we have a very good opportunity right now for us to really focus on immunizing all of our over 50-year-old West Virginians and boosting those folks as well,” Marsh said.
State InterAgency Task Force Director Jim Hoyer said the task force has begun discussions with the West Virginia Hospital Association about what could be done if there’s another surge at some point. The National Guard are no longer helping at hospitals.
“One option is to make additional use of our primary care clinics across the state to help us relieve some pressure off of hospitals if we should need it,” Hoyer said.
COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped to 198 on Monday’s dashboard report.
Vaccine calculator
Marsh also unveiled a new vaccine calculator tool that’s now posted on the vaccinate.wv.gov website.
“It gives you the opportunity to both identify when you’re due for your next vaccine and to schedule it right off the tool or set a reminder on your calendar that you make sure you get the dose of vaccine,” Marsh said.
He added he hopes the new tool, developed by WVU Medicine, will help boost current vaccination rates.
“We have seen a reduction in the rate of uptake of vaccinations. We are hoping the vaccine calculator may be part of what could re-engage people,” Marsh said.
Marsh said all information entered on the state vaccination website is protected and not shared.