A Guide To Housing in West Virginia

Introduction

Access to affordable, accessible and integrated housing within a community of choice has been identified as one of the primary barriers faced by persons with disabilities in West Virginia by the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council. As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, long term care services must be made available within a community setting, making it more possible for individuals who need supports to live outside of institutions. However, the lack of desirable, affordable and accessible housing throughout West Virginia has become a major barrier to successfully moving someone from an institution to their home community.

With funding from the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council, the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living developed a partnership to study housing issues. Key partners were the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED) at West Virginia University and the Community Living Initiatives Corporation, CLIC Key stakeholders were consumers who need housing, those who provide funding for building homes or rental units, bankers who supply mortgage loans, insurance agencies that provide home and renters' insurance and social service agencies that assist consumers to live within their communities.

Study results determined that housing was a much bigger issue then the availability or lack of desirable housing. Access to housing is influenced by much more than personal preference. It is influenced by credit history, income, social attitudes, accessibility features, land costs, availability of funding for lending agencies and the list goes on and on. Housing is a very complicated issue, thus this resource guide.

By no means should this guide be viewed as anything more than a guide to assist the consumer in making informed choices in regard to their housing needs. The manual is intended to be a resource to assist individuals to understand the complicated maze of systems that must be navigated to successfully own or rent a home or apartment. Many sections in this guide only provide highlights of needed information but do direct the reader where to go to find more specific guidance or more complete information. If you find a housing term you do not understand while using this manual, please go to the Glossary for a definition.