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WELLSBURG -- The Brooke County Commission, during its meeting Tuesday, received an update on the Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium's First Time Homebuyer program.
Joy Reese, housing counseling manager for C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc. -- which administers the program -- said through it, four Brooke County residents and three Hancock County residents received loans up to $10,000 for the down payment and closing costs for homes in the two counties last year.
Funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the loans are forgiven after recipients have lived in the home for at least five years.
To prove their residency, they must submit documentation of homeowners insurance, property tax payment and utility bills.
Reese said $2 million in loans have been dispersed since the community action agency began overseeing the program locally in 1999.
Those who don't live in the home for five years must repay the loan, with those funds becoming available to another first-time homebuyer.
Reese said $181,977 is available for loans this year.
To receive a loan, first-time homebuyers must meet certain income guidelines, must have signed a pre-qualification agreement with a qualified lender and complete a housing counseling class.
The classes are offered periodically by C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc. at various locations. The next one is scheduled for April 27 at the Mary H. Weir Public Library.
An online class also is offered through the agency.
For information about the program, call Reese at (304) 797-7733 ext. 405 or visit the agency's website at www.changeinc.org and click on the Down Payment Assistance link under Community Services.
In other business, the commission approved the promotion of Jeff Cline from part-time paramedic to full time. Bob Fowler, the county's ambulance director, said Cline will fill one of three vacancies in the department.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)