• Deed must be in borrower’s name
• Cannot be a mobile home
• Repairs must be for HUD standard Health & Safety type repairs or to make the home ADA accessible
• No prepayment penalties!
• Borrower must be at or below 80% Area Median Income based on county (see HUD limit chart below)

• Built homes can be manufactured homes but must be placed on a permanent foundation to qualify
• No prepayment penalties!
• Total household income is at or below 80% Area Median Income (see HUD Limits chart below)

• To qualify for a 502 Direct Loan borrowers must not be able to qualify for typical first-time homebuyer loan products.
• No prepayment penalties!
• Borrower must be at or below 80% Area Median Income based on county (see HUD limit chart below)

• No prepayment penalties!
• Borrower must be at or below 80% Area Median Income based on county (see HUD limit chart below)

• No active bankruptcies
• No repossessed vehicles or foreclosures within the last 3 years
• No past due child support
• No currently late mortgage or auto payments
• No prepayment penalties!
• Borrower must be at or below 80% Area Median Income based on county (see HUD limit chart below)

• Home must be within Charleston city limits
• Home must have been owner occupied for at least 1 year
• Deed/mortgage must be in the owner’s name
• Excludes structural repairs, mold removal, or lead abatement
• Must use City-approved contractor
• Subject to annual funding availability
• Total household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (see HUD limits in chart below)

• Eligible repairs include:
  • Defective plumbing (e.g., hot water tanks, water service lines, or broken interior lines)
  • Defective wiring (if not repaired could cause life safety issues)
  • Defective furnace or heating system from October 1st to March 30th
  • Window replacement – individual windows panes that are broken due to recent events
  • Gas service lines – located on the property of the owner that have resulted in a disconnect
• Home must have been owner occupied for at least 1 year
• Deed/mortgage must be in the owner’s name
• Excludes structural repairs, mold removal, or lead abatement
• Must use City-approved contractor
• Subject to annual funding availability
• Total household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (see HUD limits in chart below)

• Applicant must be able to qualify for a mortgage based on individual family income/debt ratio and credit.
• The applicant must obtain a bank loan from a participating lender. 
• HOME Program will loan the remaining project cost plus assist with closing costs based on individual qualification.
• Purchaser must invest a minimum of $500, however closing cost can exceed this amount.
• Applicant must have an acceptable credit report.
• Applicant must successfully complete an approved home-buyer education workshop.

The maximum loan amount a client can qualify for is $128,000.00. Each client will borrow 80% of their funds from a participating lender and the additional 20% is provided as a forgivable loan over a 10-year period. This loan has a 0% interest rate. 

• First-time home buyer is defined as an individual who has had no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property. This includes a spouse (if either meets the above test, they are considered first-time homebuyers).

Income limits:

1-person household must make less than $37,200.00 per year
2-person household must make less than $42,500.00 per year
3-person household must make less than $47,800.00 per year
4-person household must make less than $53,100.00 per year

Families over 4 people can contact our office at 304-348-8035 for more information.

Income guidelines are subject to change without notice

Annual income includes all income received by the household including overtime or irregular earnings. This includes social security, SSI, retirement, pensions, interest from savings accounts or stocks, part-time/occasional employment, child support.

The Home Blend program is designed to assist with the purchase of single-family existing houses only (townhouses are acceptable)
Single-family homes must meet the following criteria:

• The selling price is equal to or less than the appraisal value.
• The home must pass a housing inspection and environmental review.
• Must be existing home that meets Charleston City Code.

New construction, mobile homes, or condominium cannot be funded with HOME funds.

• To be used for structural improvements, appliances, flooring, yard work, etc.
• Payments are made directly to contractors
• Residents living in zip codes 25302 and 25387 get first priority
• NO MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE
• UNSECURED LOAN (no assets used as collateral)
• Processing Fee: Waived