×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Report: Middle-Class Housing Hard to Find in Wheeling

Developments Benefit Renters, Not Would-Be Homeowners

Photos by Casey Junkins Above, as construction continues to complete the Boury Lofts at the corner of 16th and Main streets in downtown Wheeling, a new report recommends the city adopt an inspection program for all rental units to avoid “unsanitary to unsafe conditions.”

WHEELING — Renters in Wheeling may benefit from recent investments at the Stone Center Lofts and the under construction Boury Lofts, but those who earn middle-class incomes likely find buying a house in the Friendly City considerably more difficult.

“It’s been a problem for years. That $125,000 to $200,000 price range can be tough,” Carl Nix, real estate agent with Harvey Goodman Realtor, said in reaction to the findings of the city’s Committee on Workforce Housing report, which members presented to city council last week.

“You can find hundreds for under $125,000, and you can find plenty above $200,000. It’s that middle range that has always been hard,” Nix added.

Committee members Susan Hagan and Jon-Erik Gilot presented their findings to Mayor Glenn Elliott and fellow council members during the Tuesday meeting. Both said middle-class people who work for companies such as Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, have a difficult time buying homes in Wheeling.

“It’s just not available,” Gilot said of homes that would sell in the general range of $100,000 to $200,000.

The study involved a survey of 215 participants, including 185 who now live in the city. For his part, Elliott said has was surprised that 91 percent of those surveyed said price was their primary consideration for housing.

“Forty percent of those surveyed said that they are not happy with their existing housing situation. That’s a problem,” Elliott said. “There is no doubt that the city of Wheeling can do a better job in assisting and promoting the development of affordable housing units.”

Nix said part of the problem is that builders do not make as much money developing homes that sell in the general range of $100,000 to $200,000.

“They want to build bigger homes so they can make more profit. It’s tough to make a lot of profit when you go through everything you need for a development if you aren’t selling the homes at a certain price level,” he said.

Another study highlight suggests the city should adopt a system for the inspection and/or permitting of rental units to avoid “unsanitary to unsafe conditions.” The report suggests this step would preserve the quality of the city’s neighborhoods. One-fifth of renters surveyed reported living in apartments in which the landlord “refused to make the repairs.”

The study also suggests the city’s vacant building registration program — adopted several years ago via Wheeling’s home rule authority — is being enforced in a “subjective” manner.

Hagan said some building owners seem to be given more leniency than others.

“Obviously, this is a serious allegation that, if true, will need to be addressed and remedied by this city council and current city administration,” Elliott said of this claim. “It is a priority of mine that all of our city ordinances be enforced fairly and evenly across our community.”

Elliott said the next step will be to schedule a public work session for April or May to allow committee members to answer questions regarding the report.

He said the goal will be to identify problems that can be addressed immediately, those that can be addressed within two years and those that will take several years to remedy fully.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today