CHARLESTON, W.Va. – During Tuesday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that the new West Virginia Homeowners Rescue Program is now open and accepting applications from West Virginia homeowners who have experienced a financial hardship related to COVID-19.
“This is a program that we want you to take advantage of because it will bring a lot of money into West Virginia and really help our state and our people,” Gov. Justice said.
The program can provide assistance for past-due mortgage payments of up to $15,000, past-due utilities of up to $2,500, past-due insurance, property tax payments, and other housing costs of up to $5,000, $300 in internet assistance, and $500 of assistance on certain downpayment loans.
The program is not just for people that have a mortgage loan on their home. Someone that owns their home outright, but who may have fallen behind on property taxes can also get some benefit from this program, among other circumstances.
To be eligible, applicants’ income cannot exceed 150% of the area median income for their county. Their primary residence must be in West Virginia, and can be a single family home, a condo, a townhouse, a mobile home, or a duplex. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate a COVID-related hardship, such as a decrease in income, and/or an increase in expenses related to the pandemic.
The Governor was joined by Erica Boggess, Director of the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF), which is administering the program.
“You can apply on your computer, a tablet, smartphone, or you can request a paper application if that’s what you need,” Boggess said. “I want to encourage everybody to go to our website and read about the program. It tells you all the qualifications, all the ways you can get help, and it provides a list of the documents you might need to fill out your application to speed up the process.”
More information: wvhdf.com/west-virginia-homeowners-rescue
MOUNTAINEER RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STILL OPEN
Also on Tuesday, Gov. Justice and Boggess offered a reminder that the Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program remains open as well.
The program provides tax-free financial assistance to renters who have lost their job, had their income reduced or suffered a significant cost or financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Landlords with tenants who are struggling with rent or utility payments due to COVID-19 may also find that their tenants are eligible for rental assistance, with rental payments sent directly to landlords.
More information: wvhdf.com/mountaineer-rental-assistance-program
MAP REMAINS ALL-GREEN; ACTIVE CASES UNDER 400
Additionally Tuesday, Gov. Justice reported that West Virginia’s County Alert Map once again features all 55 of the state’s counties in the Green category.
The Governor went on to report that there are now just 376 active cases of COVID-19 statewide; the lowest daily active case total since the first months of the pandemic.
Over the past two months, total active cases have decreased by more than 98%.
Since nearing peak capacity in early February, COVID-related hospitalizations in West Virginia are down 85%, ICU patients are down 79%, and patients on ventilators are down 83%.
Still, after reading the ages and locations of another 55 individuals who have passed away from COVID-19 since Monday – 46 of whom were part of the DHHR’s ongoing data reconciliation with official death certificates – Gov. Justice continued to urge West Virginians to get vaccinated and boosted.
Initial series vaccinations are available for free for all West Virginians ages 5 and older and booster shots are authorized and encouraged for all West Virginians ages 12 and older.