Housing is a growing concern for the people and leaders of West Virginia. Making sure everyone knows about the Fair Housing Act, what it provides and who it protects is important so all West Virginians can have equal opportunity and access to housing in the community of their choice.
In October 2007, the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living (NWVCIL) received the first HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grant ever awarded in West Virginia. As a FHIP, the NWVCIL and its community partners were able to provide education and outreach on the Fair Housing Act statewide to both consumers and housing professionals.
The West Virginia FHIP hosted community workshops, conducted marketing campaigns, and organized other activities to help people understand their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. The FHIP also worked to help people understand how housing complaints can be made if they feel they have been discriminated against or that mandates of the Act have been ignored.
Currently, the partnership, now known as WVFHAN (West Virginia Fair Housing Action Network), is conducting a program to see the extent of housing discrimination in the state. If you feel you have been a victim of housing discrimination, call WVFHAN at the NWVCIL (304) 296-6091 and talk to the Claire Chantler, Housing Advocate for West Virginia.
More information on this initiative and other Fair Housing activities will be posted on this website as they become available. In the meantime, visit the WVFHAN website at www.wvfairhousing.org
And remember, housing is your right and your responsibility!
About WVFHAN
The goal of the West Virginia Fair Housing Action Network (WVFHAN) is simple - to make housing choice a reality. To accomplish this, the partners are actively involved in initiatives that target education, outreach, policy and advocacy towards all housing stakeholders, from consumers and housing providers to elected officials.
