West Virginia's growing Eastern Panhandle is becoming too expensive for its poorest residents

[TexasTowelie]

When it comes to housing in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, Maggie Garrido-Cortes has seen the issue from multiple angles. As a former 211 operator tasked with helping callers find public health and community resources, she took calls for assistance, connecting people in need to service providers.

Now, Garrido-Cortes is one of those very providers. She currently works as a housing program coordinator for Telamon, a Martinsburg-based community action organization that helps provide financial assistance and counseling and takes client referrals from state and city officials, and local nonprofits.

Her voice perks up when she talks about the organization’s successes — like educating first-time homebuyers and helping veterans transition from homelessness to permanent housing. But right now, more people need help than Garrido-Cortes’ team can handle.

“We have people sleeping in their vehicles, the motels around town are full of families,” she said. “You go in the morning and you’ll see the school bus pulling up to pick up children living there. It’s almost at crisis level.”

Read more: https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2023/11/21/affordable-housing-wv-eastern-panhandle-martinsburg/

[Marthe48]

1. if only

If I had the money, I could convert my basement into a small apartment with its own entrance. It'd be nice to see a government program that offered grants or low interest loans to homeowners to convert their extra space into housing for someone. There could be conditions, such as a minimum of how long the homeowner had to commit to renting the space. I know so many people who are on their own, and stay in the house where they had spouses or families. Not every person would want to convert their home into a duplex, but even a small portion would add housing to the communities.

And if there were enough interest, maybe Habitat for Humanity could extend its efforts to existing home conversion. Not true home ownership, but a step away from homelessness.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I agree that a government program for renovating properties to increase the housing supply would make a tremendous

difference. There are plenty of single people who are substantially independent, but cannot afford the exorbitant rents that are prevalent in private apartment complexes. I can state as a disabled person that all I want is a bedroom, bathroom, closet, a cubby hole for a stackable washer/dryer, and kitchen so that the only reason I would need to leave home is for groceries or medical appointments. A studio apartment setup would be nice if I could screen off the bedroom area.

Although I credit Habitat for Humanity for their work and assistance to the needy, the "all or nothing" approach to solve the housing crisis places limits on how much aid they can actually provide. They should revisit their mission so that "providing housing" is more important than "home ownership."

[Diamond_Dog]

4. That's a great idea, Marthe48.

[Marthe48]

6. Thank you

Southeastern Ohio has need, too. I don't know any homeless people right now, but knew a family in the past. With a little help, they got on their feet and did okay. I try to think of ways to even things out a little.

[twodogsbarking]

5. We travel to this area a couple of times a year. Trump signs everwhere.

The housing prices for the lower end have tripled or more in four years.

[Ferrets are Cool]

7. I am probably missing something

But what is the story here. There are tons of places in America where the poorest can't afford to live.

[TexasTowelie]

8. It's a recent development due to the influx of commuters.

This is also a statewide news site so they aren't focused upon what is happening elsewhere in the country to make comparisons.

[Ferrets are Cool]

9. Thanks