Charleston, W.Va. – On Saturday, the third annual Charleston Housing Fair gathered housing organizations, real‑estate professionals and community groups to help local residents navigate rising home costs and explore homeownership assistance programs.
Local Lenders and Realtors Provide Guidance
Attendees met with representatives from the Kanawha Valley Board of Realtors, which reported that 2026 residential market figures show an average home price of more than $237,000. Associate broker Angela Mayfield of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central noted that limited affordable inventory and price caps on assistance programs can make finding a home challenging.
Multiple Loan Options Available
Kevin Jones, executive director of the Religious Coalition for Community Renewal (RCCR), emphasized that buyers often need less cash up‑front than they assume. “You don’t necessarily need that nowadays. So there are so many different loan programs available,” Jones said.
One highlighted option is Charleston’s HOME Blend program, administered through the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Community Development. The initiative offers eligible low‑ and moderate‑income buyers zero‑interest, forgivable loans that reduce the amount required from a traditional mortgage. The loan is forgiven over ten years if borrowers meet program requirements, including continued occupancy of the home.
Comprehensive Support Services
RCCR also builds and sells affordable homes while providing housing counseling. At the fair, the organization showcased a full suite of resources: lenders, Realtors, legal advice, home‑repair assistance and other tools needed to maintain and successfully access housing.
Mayfield added that some assistance programs cover part of a home’s purchase price, lowering mortgage costs for qualifying buyers. “If you are looking to purchase a home, just know that yes, it is doable,” she encouraged.
How Residents Can Get Ongoing Help
Those who missed the fair can still receive year‑round counseling and assistance from RCCR by visiting www.rccr.org or calling 304‑346‑6398.
The fair underscored the community’s commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities for families seeking stability and a place to call their own.
Original reporting: WCHS Eyewitness News Charleston (local) — read the source article.
