Ascend WV adds incentive for members to buy a home

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that the Homeownership Incentive does not provide additional money to Ascenders.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — People who have already moved to West Virginia through the Ascend program can now get their $12,000 stipend all at once if they buy home in the state.

The Ascend program pays remote workers $12,000 over two years, along with other incentives , to move to one of the designated Ascend locations in West Virginia . But now, they can choose to receive the $12,000 in a lump sum through the Homeownership Incentive program, which was announced in a press release Tuesday.

To be eligible for the Homeownership Incentive, Ascender must purchase a home in West Virginia and make it their primary residence as well as attend Ascend events.

Even without the Homeowners Incentive, 41% of Ascenders have already purchased homes, according to the release.

“It is so great to see more people moving to our state because of the program,” Gov. Jim Justice said about Ascend. “West Virginia has become such a sought-after place to start a business, live in paradise, and raise a family, and I could not be happier about that.”

According to the Ascend website , more than 400 people have moved their remove work to West Virginia through the program since it started in 2021, and with their families, it has led to the addition of 779 West Virginians.

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