Down payment assistance in West Virginia
West Virginia's primary statewide down payment assistance program, run by West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF). Numbers and eligibility reflect the program's published 2025 guidelines.
Movin' Up + Low Down Home Loan
Second mortgage- Maximum assistance
- Up to $10,000 as a 15-year second mortgage
- Income limit
- Up to $134,560
- Home price limit
- Up to $481,176
- First-time buyer
- Not required
- Eligible loan types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- •Second mortgage at 2% interest, 15-year amortizing - payment included in DTI.
- •Homeownership Program (first-time buyers) provides additional low-rate first mortgages.
How West Virginia DPA fits into your purchase
Down payment assistance reduces the cash you need at the closing table. West Virginia's Movin' Up + Low Down Home Loan pairs with the standard FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from a participating lender; the DPA flows through the same closing.
Two things to budget for: most state DPA requires a homebuyer-education course (typically online, 6-8 hours, ~$75) and you usually have to use a lender on the agency's approved list. The agency keeps the list public on its website.
Common questions
West Virginia's primary statewide DPA is Movin' Up + Low Down Home Loan from West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF). Up to $10,000 as a 15-year second mortgage. Many West Virginia cities and counties also run additional DPA layered on top.
No. The Movin' Up + Low Down Home Loan is open to both first-time and repeat buyers, subject to income and home-price limits.
Yes. Movin' Up + Low Down Home Loan works with these loan types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional. The DPA is layered behind your first mortgage as a separate lien (or grant), and both close together.
Yes. A second-mortgage DPA has a monthly payment, and that payment is included in your debt-to-income ratio when the lender qualifies you.
Deferred and second-mortgage DPAs are generally repaid in full when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.