HURRICANE, W.Va. (AP) — A four-story apartment building tucked behind a bustling coffee shop and Wendy’s restaurant in Hurricane offers flashy modern amenities and views of the valley.
But these units aren’t cheap. A one-bedroom apartment costs $1,650 a month, nearly double the market rate of other apartments in Putnam County.
This building is part of a $90 million investment in the county, which is one of West Virginia’s fastest-growing areas, through a 2022 state program intended to spur housing development.
But despite the investments, many West Virginians are still struggling to find housing they can afford. And the narrowly focused program doesn’t address the state’s widespread housing crisis, fueled by rising prices and aging homes.
West Virginia leaders promised the BUILD WV Act would tackle the state’s housing shortage. However, the program has produced units priced above what many families in the state can afford.
