Housing

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HJR 21: Senior Citizen Homestead Valuation Amendment

HJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment to lock the property tax valuation for West Virginia homeowners aged 65 or older (or permanently disabled) at the assessed value when they turned 65 or purchased their home - whichever occurred later. This would prevent their taxable value from increasing due to rising market prices, potentially reducing annual property tax bills over time. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2028 general election to take effect. It directly affects senior homeowners who occupy their primary residence as their principal dwelling.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides permanent property tax relief for seniors by freezing valuation at 65+ age, reducing their tax burden per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects senior homeowners' property rights by freezing tax valuation, aligning with housing topic's property rights focus85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4754: Prohibiting municipal zoning regulations from imposing certain minimum lot sizes

HB 4754 prohibits West Virginia municipalities from requiring larger minimum lot sizes for properties with secondary housing units (like accessory dwelling units or "granny flats") compared to standard single-family homes in the same zoning district. This directly affects local governments that currently enforce such lot size requirements and homeowners seeking to build or add secondary housing. The bill amends zoning law to remove this specific restriction, ensuring that lot size rules for secondary units cannot be stricter than those for primary residences. It does not change other zoning regulations like building heights or land use designations. The bill’s key provision is a clear prohibition on differential lot size requirements for accessory dwellings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for accessory dwelling units, enabling more housing options and increasing supply to advance affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4858: Determine credits for qualified rehabilitated buildings investment

HB 4858 establishes a 25% state income tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It directly affects residential and commercial property owners who restore structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as "certified historic structures" by the National Park Service and West Virginia Division of Culture and History. The bill defines "qualified rehabilitation expenditures" using federal standards (26 U.S.C. §47), requires projects to meet Secretary of the Interior rehabilitation standards, and creates a centralized process for claiming the credit. It replaces older, fragmented provisions with a unified system and includes procedures for credit recapture if requirements aren't met.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 25% state income tax credit for historic building rehabilitation, reducing tax liability for property owners - direct tax relief under fiscal incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax credit for rehabilitating historic residential buildings, promoting housing preservation and development through financial incentive.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Historic Preservation Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 4403: West Virginia Homeless Shelter Oversight & Safety Act

HB 4403 requires all West Virginia homeless shelters to register annually with the Bureau for Public Health and obtain a safety certificate by July 1, 2026. Shelters must meet standardized health, fire safety, staffing, and background check requirements, including resident grievance procedures and incident reporting. Violations could result in fines up to $5,000 per violation or temporary suspension of operations. The law applies to all shelters regardless of funding source, including faith-based facilities that retain federal religious protections while complying with health and safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health/safety standards for homeless shelters under public health oversight, protecting vulnerable populations' health access and aligning with public health program safety requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes safety standards for homeless shelters, directly addressing homelessness and improving housing conditions for vulnerable populations through mandatory health, safety, and operational requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Homelessness

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 659: Prohibiting certain restrictions on regulation of accessory dwelling units

SB 659 prevents West Virginia municipalities from banning or overly restricting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary living spaces like converted garages or backyard cottages - on single-family residential properties. The bill bans local governments from requiring public hearings, imposing excessive fees ($250 max application fee), mandating matching exterior designs, or setting stricter size/height rules for ADUs than for primary homes. It also prohibits municipalities from requiring additional parking, restrictive covenants, or separate water/sewer systems for ADUs, though they may still regulate short-term rentals separately. This directly affects homeowners seeking to build or rent out ADUs without local bureaucratic hurdles.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves local restrictions on ADUs, increasing housing supply and affordability by allowing secondary units on single-family properties without excessive fees or design mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Zoning

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 432: Issuing identification documents to homeless youth residing in WV shelters

SB 432 requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles to provide free identification documents (including photo IDs, driver's license replacements, or birth certificates) to homeless U.S. citizens residing in shelters or served by homeless services providers. To qualify, applicants must live at a shelter, use the shelter's address, have a shelter employee verify their homelessness via affidavit, and provide proof of U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate or passport). The bill limits recipients to one document per 30 days and mandates the State Registrar to develop application forms. It directly affects homeless youth and unaccompanied homeless individuals who lack stable housing and cannot afford standard ID fees. The law aims to remove barriers to employment, benefits, and housing stability by ensuring access to essential identification.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides ID to homeless youth, removing barrier to housing access. Directly addresses homelessness, a core housing issue per topic definition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4177: Limit property tax increases on certain individuals

HB 4177 would allow eligible West Virginia homeowners - those aged 65 or older, permanently disabled, or widowed with less than $20,000 annual income - to lock in their property tax rate on the first $20,000 of their home's assessed value. To qualify, individuals must have resided in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for military returnees or those who left and returned within five years). Once eligible, their tax rate on that $20,000 portion remains fixed, preventing future increases due to rising home values. The exemption applies only to primary residences and takes effect from the July 1 assessment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for low-income seniors/disabled homeowners by locking rates on $20k valuation, aligning with tax relief for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects eligible homeowners from rising property taxes, supporting housing stability for vulnerable residents through tax relief on primary residences.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4058: Assure West Virginians proper access to water and sewage service at reasonable rates

HB 4058 authorizes reduced water and sewer utility rates for two groups in West Virginia: residents of communities with fewer than 1,000 people, and residents receiving specific benefits (SSI, TANF, TANF-UP, or SNAP for seniors). It allows utilities to offer up to a 20% rate reduction, approved by the Public Service Commission, with credits applied retroactively to customers' bills once approved. The Department of Human Services will help verify eligibility and inform benefit recipients about the program, while utilities must ensure small-community residents can access these lower rates. This bill directly affects low-income households and small communities by making essential water and sewer services more affordable.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces water/sewer costs for low-income residents (SSI/TANF/SNAP), directly lowering housing expenses and supporting affordability for vulnerable groups.80% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 627: Relating to Build WV Act

SB 627 amends West Virginia's Build WV Act to reform tax credit eligibility for residential housing projects. It replaces project cost calculations with a new cap on tax credit liability for new approvals, specifically allowing smaller projects in designated rural areas to qualify. The bill requires annual adjustments to the program based on demand and establishes a dedicated Build WV Credit Reserve Fund to manage these changes. This directly affects developers seeking tax credits for new residential construction or rehabilitation of unoccupied housing, clarifying which project expenses (like construction, utilities, and materials) qualify while excluding costs covered by other incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReforms tax credit eligibility to expand rural housing access, providing tax relief through structured incentives and a dedicated fund for fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit eligibility for rural housing projects, creates dedicated fund for development, and adjusts annually to increase affordable housing access per bill's focus on residential tax incentives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4928: To end double taxation on rental properties

HB 4928 prohibits counties and municipalities from taxing residential rental properties at higher rates than owner-occupied homes. It requires all property taxes on rental properties to match the rate for owner-occupied housing and bans additional taxes based on zoning. The bill directly affects landlords who own rental properties and aims to reduce their tax burden, potentially helping keep rents stable. It does not change sales or service taxes for rental businesses. The legislation focuses on changing property tax assessment rules, not on broader rent control or other housing policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces tax burden on landlords by equalizing property tax rates, providing tax relief and promoting fiscal responsibility in property taxation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces tax burden on landlords to stabilize rents, directly addressing housing affordability through property tax reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax Landlords Property Taxes Renters

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