HomeOwnership Center

What HomeOwnership Center does

The HomeOwnership Center (HOC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 and headquartered in Elkins, West Virginia, that operates as an integrated HUD-approved housing counseling agency and licensed mortgage lender (NMLS #362854) serving North Central West Virginia. HOC provides an end-to-end homeownership pathway — credit advising, HUD-certified pre-purchase counseling, 8-hour homebuyer education (in-person and via eHome America), loan origination (USDA Guaranteed/Direct, FHA, Conventional, and Down Payment Assistance up to $20,000), home improvement loans (Home Repair, Energy Efficiency, Solar, Accessibility Modification, Affordable Fix), foreclosure prevention, and refinancing. The organization serves first-time and underserved homebuyers across all income levels, with a particular focus on low- and moderate-income families and individuals excluded from traditional lending, including those with limited or no credit history (qualifying under USDA 502 Direct Loans).

The technology platform is a conventional nonprofit web presence (hocwv.org) supporting online account creation, secure document upload, soft-inquiry credit reporting with per-applicant fees ($14 online, $27 paper), and a mortgage calculator — supplemented by traditional in-person and phone-based counseling rather than automated or AI-driven workflows. HOC operates a Preferred Realtor Program of nine trained local agents who direct customers to HOC for lending, and conducts community-based outreach including high school financial education (since 2022), Financial Life Skills Series workshops with Mountain CAP, and resource fair participation.

The revenue model blends transaction-based and grant-based streams: (1) loan origination fees on closed mortgages (USDA, FHA, Conventional, Down Payment Assistance); (2) credit report fees ($14–$27 per applicant, nonrefundable); (3) homebuyer education course fees (in-person and eHome America web-based, required for all HOC loans); (4) home improvement loan interest/fees; and (5) institutional grants and donations — including a $70,000 Fahe MAC Grant (2023) for a below-market construction loan program and a $10,000 Huntington Foundation grant for credit counseling. Down Payment Assistance is structured as a fully amortizing secondary loan (not a grant) with monthly repayment. Geographic scope remains regionally concentrated in six counties (Randolph, Tucker, Upshur, Barbour, Braxton, and surrounding) with a small core staff of five plus a community board.

Name

HomeOwnership Center

Legal name

HomeOwnership Center, Inc.

Website

https://hocwv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The HomeOwnership Center is a nonprofit HUD-certified housing counseling agency and licensed mortgage lender serving North Central West Virginia since 1998. It provides homebuyer education, credit counseling, USDA/FHA/Conventional loans, and down payment assistance to first-time and underserved homebuyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Housing Counseling and Mortgage Lending

SIC

Loan Brokers (6163)

akta.pro primary industry

Reverse Mortgage Counseling & Consumer Education (HUD-Approved) (FSALAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Loss Mitigation & Home Retention Servicing (Modifications/Forbearance/Repayment Plans) (FSALAEAG)

Keywords

• Nonprofit mortgage lending
• Housing counseling services
• Homebuyer education
• Down payment assistance
• Foreclosure prevention counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Elkins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Mortgage Loan Origination: As a nonprofit lender and mortgage originator (NMLS #362854), HOC earns revenue through loan origination fees on USDA, FHA, Conventional, and down payment assistance loans. The organization is licensed and regulated through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System.
2. Credit Report Fees: Charges $14.00 per applicant for credit reports via online payment, or $27.00 per person for PDF/paper form submissions. Nonrefundable once the credit report is pulled.
3. Homebuyer Education Course Fees: Fees charged for both in-person and web-based (eHome America) homebuyer education courses, which are a requirement for all HOC loan products.
4. Grants and Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, HOC receives grant funding from organizations such as The Huntington Foundation ($10,000), Fahe MAC Grant ($70,000), and other institutional donors to support credit counseling, operations, and affordable housing programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

HomeOwnership Center is a nonprofit HUD-approved housing counseling agency and NMLS-licensed mortgage lender that provides end-to-end homeownership support to residents of North Central West Virginia. Its offerings include USDA, FHA, Conventional, and Down Payment Assistance mortgage loans, in-person and online homebuyer education, credit advising, foreclosure prevention counseling, refinance guidance, and home improvement financing. Services are delivered by HUD-certified counselors through a personalized, step-by-step process from intake through closing.

Product overview

HomeOwnership Center is a nonprofit lender and housing counseling organization offering a comprehensive suite of homeownership services. The core offerings include: Home Loans (USDA Guaranteed/Direct, FHA, Conventional) as the primary lending products; Down Payment Assistance providing secondary loans of up to $20,000; Home Buyer Education available in-person or via eHome America online; Credit Advising and Pre-Purchase Counseling for mortgage readiness; Foreclosure Prevention services; Refinance options; and Home Improvement Loans (repair, energy efficiency, solar, accessibility). The organization also runs a Preferred Realtor Program connecting customers with trained local agents. Additional features include an online mortgage calculator and secure document upload portal. All services are designed for all income levels with HUD-certified counseling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home Loans Access competitive loan options including USDA Guaranteed and Direct Loans, FHA Loans, Conventional Loans, and Down Payment Assistance. As a nonprofit lender, HOC offers comprehensive loan products for all income levels with transparent terms.
• Down Payment Assistance Secondary loan to help meet down payment requirements for qualified homebuyers. Can lend up to $20,000 depending on credit score, paired with local lender products. Income restrictions vary by county and are updated annually according to USDA guidelines.
• Home Buyer Education Educational program covering how to prepare financially for homeownership, understand the entire homebuying process, learn what lenders look for, avoid common pitfalls, and build confidence. Available in-person with HUD-certified advisors or through the eHome America web-based course.
• Credit Advising One-on-one pre-purchase counseling from HUD-certified advisors that helps customers understand credit reports, develop personalized credit and budgeting guidance, create strategies to reduce debt, and build practical tools to save for the future.
• Pre-Purchase Counseling Comprehensive review of income, affordability, and credit report to create an action plan for meeting financial goals. Helps customers determine if they are mortgage-ready and what steps to take next.
• Foreclosure Prevention Counseling One-on-one counseling for homeowners facing financial hardship or struggling with mortgage payments. Includes guidance on budgeting, lender communication, and foreclosure prevention options.
• Refinance Guidance Personalized guidance to refinance existing mortgages to lower monthly payments, secure better interest rates, or access funds for important expenses. Includes options to switch from adjustable to fixed-rate loans and consolidate debt.
• Home Improvement Loans Affordable financing options for home repairs and improvements including Home Repair and Improvement Loan, Energy Efficiency Loan, Solar Loan, Accessibility Modification Loan, and Affordable Fix Loan for lower- and fixed-income families.
• FHA Closing Cost Assistance Loan Program An FHA program that allows borrowers to finance their closing costs when they have already dipped into savings to cover the down payment, preventing families from draining savings to cover closing costs. HOC completed a rigorous application process over six months to become certified as an FHA Closing Cost Assistance lender.
• Preferred Realtor Program Network of local real estate agents trained on HOC's loan options and services to assist homebuyers. Realtors attend quarterly meetings to receive updates on HOC services and loan products and direct customers to HOC for lending needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000+ customers served with counseling and education since 1998; 225+ new homeowners created in the last five years alone; nearly 230 new homebuyers educated in the last five years; 850+ households received financial counseling in the last five years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NeighborWorks AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001HOC joined NeighborWorks America as a chartered member in 2001, becoming part of a national network of nearly 250 nonprofit organizations focused on affordable homeownership and community development. James Ross, Senior Relationship Manager for NW Southern Region, has publicly endorsed HOC's work.
• USDA Rural DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOC participates in USDA Rural Development programs, including USDA Guaranteed and Direct Home Loans (Section 502). USDA recognized HOC in 2020 for outstanding work supporting rural West Virginians.
• HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOC is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Its counselors are HUD-certified, and its homebuyer education meets HUD standards. The organization displays the HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency seal.
• Huntington National BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrad Schumacher, Vice President and Branch Manager of Huntington National Bank, serves on HOC's Board of Directors. Huntington Bank has supported HOC through The Huntington Foundation with a $10,000 grant for credit counseling services. The bank and HOC collaborate on homeownership solutions.
• FahecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFahe is a regional network dedicated to building thriving communities across Appalachia. HOC was awarded a $70,000 Maximizing Appalachian Capacity (MAC) Grant from Fahe to launch a below-market construction loan program and expand affordable housing in rural north central West Virginia. Fahe honored HOC as Rising Star Lender of the Year in 2017.
• Community Works (West Virginia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Works WV is listed as a partner organization sharing HOC's commitment to financial education and sustainable homeownership.
• Mountain CAP of West VirginiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOC partners with Mountain CAP's Upshur County Family Support Center to deliver Financial Life Skills Series workshops covering credit management, debt, loans, and financial health. Partnership expanded to Mountain CAP Braxton County office.
• Randolph County Housing Authority (RCHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOC originated as a program of RCHA in 1998 before becoming an independent nonprofit. RCHA's Executive Director Lisa Shaffer serves on HOC's Board of Directors. The organizations collaborate on the Section 8 to Home Ownership program and Highland Meadows neighborhood development.
• Woodlands Development and LendingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner sharing commitment to financial education and sustainable homeownership. Woodlands Development Group participates in community housing panels alongside HOC.
• West Virginia Housing Development FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOC works with the WV Housing Development Fund on loan products and was recognized as a Top Producing Nonprofit Housing Lender in 2006. HOC also participates in the WV Development Fund's HomeOwner Rescue Plan program.
• YouthBuild (Randolph County)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOC provides financial education to YouthBuild participants as part of its outreach to young people in the community.
• Preferred Realtors NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor9 local real estate agents (Tish Johnson, Gary Weaver, Joey Kaiser, Tina Cunningham, LuAnn McDowell, John Calkins, Jodi Calkins, Christopher Pudder, Rachael Smarr) trained on HOC's loan products and services. Listed on HOC's website, attend quarterly meetings, and direct customers to HOC for lending.
• Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOC partners with the Financial Opportunity Center associated with Randolph County Housing Authority to provide integrated financial coaching, credit building, and homeownership readiness services. The FOC helps clients build budgets, improve credit, and achieve financial stability leading to homeownership.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fahe: Appalachian regional network of nonprofits building affordable housing, and the funder behind HOC's $70K MAC Grant. Comparable mission in rural Appalachia affordable housing, but Fahe operates as a network/backbone rather than a direct local lender.
• Self-Help Ventures Fund: North Carolina-based nonprofit CDFI providing affordable home loans, foreclosure prevention, and financial counseling nationally. Overlap in HUD-style counseling and responsible-lending mission, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• NeighborWorks America: National network of ~250 nonprofit housing counseling and lending organizations of which HOC is a chartered member. Overlapping HUD-approved counseling, lending, and homeownership education mission, but operating at a national-network scale rather than a single-site nonprofit lender.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit delivering affordable homeownership through counseling, education, and below-market home construction. Overlaps with HOC in mission of sustainable homeownership for low- and moderate-income families, though at vastly larger scale and via build-focused model.

Direct peers

• Housing Assistance Council: National nonprofit focused on affordable rural housing for low-income families across the U.S., supporting local providers with capital, training, and policy advocacy. Overlaps with HOC in serving rural LMI homebuyers via HUD- and USDA-aligned programs.
• Rural Community Assistance Corporation: Regional nonprofit serving rural Western states with housing, water, and community development programs including HUD-approved counseling and affordable lending. Comparable rural-focused HUD counseling and lending services for underserved populations.
• Community Housing Partners: Virginia-based nonprofit delivering affordable housing development, counseling, and energy-efficiency home improvement programs across Appalachia and the Southeast. Comparable multi-product nonprofit housing model with overlap in home repair and counseling services.
• Mountain Housing Opportunities: Western North Carolina nonprofit providing HUD-approved housing counseling, homebuyer education, and affordable home repair lending to low- and moderate-income households. Closest functional peer to HOC in terms of counseling-plus-lending model in a rural Appalachian market.
• Woodlands Development Group: West Virginia-based nonprofit affordable housing developer listed as an HOC partner organization sharing a commitment to financial education and sustainable homeownership. Directly comparable regional nonprofit housing operator.

Regional players

• Mountain CAP of West Virginia: West Virginia Community Action Partnership agency partnering with HOC on Financial Life Skills workshops and serving overlapping North Central WV counties. Adjacent nonprofit community-development role rather than direct lending peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHeHuCxY5wlc2cyRZ1G09YA
• Facebookfacebook.com/HomeOwnershipCenterWV/?ref=page_internal
• Instagraminstagram.com/hocwv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homeownership-center-inc

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HomeOwnership Center