Housing counseling can set the stage for responsible homeownership

For many first-time homebuyers, the world of real estate lending can be confusing. Terms like escrow, amortization, and annual percentage rate may create some hesitancy among buyers.

However, housing counseling agencies across the state work to help first-time homebuyers understand the process or to help current homeowners maintain their financial health and grow their nest egg. These services are available to any homebuyer, including those who buy their homes through the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.

“Many of our first-time... Continue Reading

West Virginia Homeowners Rescue Program saves Kanawha woman’s home

For many homeowners, staying on top of mortgage and utility payments is easy. They have a secure job and a steady paycheck, maybe even money in savings. But once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it became obvious how even just one missed payment could cause major financial setbacks for even the most responsible homeowner.

C., a Kanawha County homeowner, knows that all too well. Although she has a great job with benefits that include sick pay, her bout with COVID last... Continue Reading

Funding allows Rea of Hope to expand

A once-dilapidated structure on the East End of Charleston now offers a beacon of hope to women in substance abuse recovery.

Rea of Hope, a residential recovery program for women, officially opened the Ryan Brown House on June 15. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse is named in honor of a Charleston man who died of a heroin overdose in 2014. His parents, CeCe and Bobby Brown, worked with the West Virginia Legislature to establish the Ryan Brown Addiction Prevention... Continue Reading

Development brings new homes to Webster County

Photos of grandchildren. Menu boards in the kitchen. A toddler’s monster truck collection. 

These are just a few of the ways tenants at Glad View have made their new units feel like home.

“I just love this apartment,” said Nancy Holbrook, who moved into her unit in January. “I never want to leave.”

Glade View is a new affordable housing development located just outside Cowen, Webster County, and includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, a community room, and a playground.... Continue Reading

Grant helps Seed Sower, Inc., expand recovery housing services in Southern West Virginia

Jay Phillips saw a need and knew he had to do something to address it.

The former financial management analyst for the Internal Revenue Service began volunteering a couple of years ago with Fruits of Labor, a culinary and agricultural training center for people in recovery based in Rainelle. While working with the group, Phillips saw first-hand how the opioid crisis has affected Southern West Virginia.

Seed Sower Inc., is a... Continue Reading