W. Va. Code §§ 16B-18-1 to 16B-18-21 § 16B-18-17
Cooperation with local agencies administering fairhousing laws; utilization of services and personnel; reimbursement; written agreements; publication instate register.
Operative Text
The commission may cooperate with local agencies charged with the administration of local fair housing laws and, with the consent of such agencies, utilize the services of such agencies and their employees and, to the extent permitted by law, may reimburse such agencies and their employees for services rendered to assist it in carrying out this article. In furtherance of such cooperative efforts, the commission may enter into written agreements with such local agencies. All agreements and terminations thereof shall be published in the state register.
West Virginia Code § 16B-18-17 establishes a framework under which the state commission responsible for fair housing enforcement may work alongside local agencies that administer their own fair housing laws. The commission is authorized to use local agency staff and resources—with those agencies' consent—and may compensate them for their assistance. Any formal cooperative arrangements, as well as the ending of such arrangements, must be documented in written agreements and published in the state register for public transparency.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 16B-18-17, fair housing oversight in West Virginia may involve both state and local agencies working in coordination, meaning property owners and managers could interact with local fair housing offices acting in a cooperative capacity with the state commission. Operators who maintain consistent fair housing compliance practices are generally better positioned to respond to inquiries from any agency—state or local—that may be involved in a coordinated review. Staying informed about published agreements in the state register can help property managers understand which local agencies may be operating in a cooperative role under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 16B-18-17 means that tenants who believe they have experienced housing discrimination in West Virginia may have access to both state and local fair housing resources, as local agencies can be formally authorized to assist the state commission. If a local fair housing office is operating under a written cooperative agreement published in the state register, it may serve as an additional point of contact for raising a concern or filing a complaint. Tenants can consult local fair housing organizations or tenant-rights groups to understand which agencies in their area may be participating in these cooperative arrangements.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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