CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Changes coming to the West Virginia Homeowners Rescue Program are designed to get more money to more people quicker.
Jessica Greathouse, special programs manager for the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, said the program was designed during the COVID-19 pandemic to help homeowners become more financially stable.
A homeowner must now be 60 days behind in their mortgage payment. Previously, homeowners needed to be 90 days behind. The cap on those payments increased from $15,000 to $20,000.
“We realized after 8 months of running the program, that people needed more help and they needed it sooner,” Greathouse said. “You can make, as a four person household, up to $90,000 and still qualify if you had a COVID-related financial hardship.”
Greathouse said a homeowner who has paid off their home can still qualify for financial assistance.
“You don’t have to have a mortgage in order to qualify. If you own your home outright, you’ve paid it off, but you just can’t keep up with your taxes, utilities and insurance for instance, you can still apply,” she said.
The program also helps pay for those late utility bills, taxes and homeowners insurance.
About $50 million was appropriated to West Virginia to provide the services.
To see if you qualify, visit www.wvhomerescue.com.