West Virginia tourism is booming, but how does this affect housing?

MINDEN, WV (WVNS) – Many travel to the Mountain State for tourism attractions and to simply vacation, but there are problems that come with growing tourism.

With tourism drawing many to visit and even move to West Virginia to start businesses, concerns and issues that can come with that were discussed at a roundtable at Ace Adventure Resort on Wednesday, July 17th.

One popular topic of discussion at this meeting was the housing situation in Fayetteville and in the state as a whole.

Congresswoman Carol Miller told 59News that with West Virginia tourism gaining popularity, the goal moving forward is to get aged homes fixed. One concern is the price combined with affordability.

“It’s the investment in the housing and the fact that we do have older homes that do need to be rehabbed. So, you need the right investors that are willing to come in and do it. It makes it difficult for the community as well if the houses get priced higher than what they can afford. It’s been a positive conversation on how they can work together to make this happen,” said Congresswoman Miller.

With more people coming to visit, there is an obvious need for temporary housing.

Where are those who call West Virginia home going to live?

David Elliot Pritt, member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, said short-term housing is one part of the problem.

“So, we have a shortage of affordable quality housing in Fayette County. That housing shortage has been exacerbated by proliferation of short-term housing. Every time a property goes up for sale, they are being bought up by out-of-state landowners,” said Pritt to 59News.

Pritt said the problems that are being addressed are quote, “much better problems to have than what we used to have.”

He explained that the National Park designation has been great, but it has also affected the housing problem.

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