CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The House Economic Development subcommittee convened Wednesday to address West Virginia’s ongoing housing crisis, as rising prices make it increasingly difficult for residents to find affordable housing.
“The state lacks both owner-occupied and rental housing that is affordable and available to lower-income households,” said Nate Testman, executive director of the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.
Lawmakers noted that high interest rates continue to put pressure on both renters and prospective homeowners, keeping the housing market in a difficult position.
“There’s an inventory problem in the state, and as a real estate broker, I see that daily,” said Del. Patrick Lucas. “Buyers are facing challenges at every income level and price point.”
According to the West Virginia Housing Development Authority, nearly 150,000 households in the state spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. In urban areas like Cabell County and fast-growing regions such as the Eastern Panhandle, median rents have surged in recent years.
Lucas pointed to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as a key factor in the housing shortage, with inventory levels still not returning to pre-pandemic norms.
“We need development—more multifamily units, apartment complexes, and new homes,” Lucas emphasized.
The West Virginia University Research Corporation identified several major contributors to the crisis, including a lack of available and affordable housing, a shortage of workforce housing, inadequate infrastructure, limited buildable land, aging properties, and vacant or dilapidated homes.
Builders also face rising costs, further complicating efforts to expand housing options.
“The cost of materials is a significant hurdle,” Lucas said. “When comparing an existing home to a new one, buyers often have to pay an extra $50,000 to $75,000 for new construction.”
