West Virginia Human Rights Commission

Housing

The West Virginia Fair Housing Act allows those living, or wanting to live, in West Virginia the freedom of choice in their housing opportunities. It states that a person cannot be denied the following:
  • Renting an Apartment or House
  • Securing a Home Loan
  • Securing Homeowners Insurance
  • Purchasing Land for Home Construction
Based upon race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, familial status, blindness, and/or disability. Furthermore, it states that you cannot be treated differently in the terms and conditions of your housing, or steered to another neighborhood or property because of one those reasons. The Fair Housing Act also provides protection for service animals for the disabled and protects against sexual harassment and predatory lending.

As with the Human Rights Act in West Virginia, the West Virginia Fair Housing Act also protects individuals who oppose discrimination and/or complain about discriminatory practices to management within the company or to the West Virginia Human Rights Commission. The Act states that these are protected activities, for which an employer cannot retaliate against an employee for participating.