The Huntington West Virginia Housing Authority

Housing Quality
Standards

In order to assist you in obtaining decent, safe and sanitary housing under the Housing Choice Voucher Programs, any dwelling unit a family considers renting must meet the following minimum standards:

I. SANITARY FACILITIES
a) The unit must have an operable flush toilet in a separate private room.
b) A fixed washbasin and shower or tub with hot and cold running water must be in the house or apartment.
c) All of these facilities must empty into an approved public or private disposal system.

II. FOOD PREPARATION AND GARBAGE DISPOSAL
a) The kitchen must have a sink with hot and cold running water, which drains into an approved disposal system.
b) There must be an adequate space for the storage and preparation of food.
c) There must be facilities for the disposal of trash and garbage (trash pickup service, garbage cans).
d) A refrigerator and stove of adequate size for the family should be provided. In cases where a family has its own stove and/or refrigerator, these can be considered as meeting the requirement, as long as they are completely operable.

III. SECURITY AND SAFETY
a) Exterior doors and windows shall be lockable.
b) The unit must have a bathroom, kitchen area and a living area.
c) There needs to be a sleeping/living room for each two persons in the family.

IV. HEATING SYSTEM
a) The unit must have a heating system, which is in safe operating condition and can provide adequate heat to each room of the unit.
b) Room heaters are acceptable as long as they are properly vented or approved vent free stoves.
c) No kerosene heaters.

V. ILLUMINATION AND ELECTRICITY
a) Living rooms and bedrooms must have at least one window that opens.
b) The bathroom and kitchen must have a ceiling or wall-mounted light fixture, which is in safe operating condition.
c) Bathrooms must have a window that opens or contain an exhaust fan.
d) The bedrooms, kitchen and living room must have at least two electrical outlets, one of which can be overhead or on a wall light fixture.

VI. STRUCTURES AND MATERIALS
a) The interior ceilings, walls and floors must be free of any serious defects, which effect the safety or well being of persons living in the unit.
b) The roof must be in sound condition and be weather-tight.
c) The exterior walls shall be free of any serious defects, which would effect the soundness of the dwelling.
d) Stairways, halls, and porches must be free of any defects, which could cause tripping, or falling and must have handrails.

VII. INTERIOR AIR QUALITY
a) The interior air in the unit must be free from dangerous gases, dust, or other harmful pollutants.
b) The dwelling must have reasonable air circulation.
c) Bathrooms must have a window that opens or other adequate exhaust ventilation.

VIII. WATER SUPPLY
a) The dwelling must have a water supply provided from an approved public or private system.

IX. ACCESS
a) The unit must have means of ingress and egress (a way to and from) without unauthorized use of other private properties.
b) The unit must have alternate means of exit in case of fire, such as fire stairs or a window.

X. NEIGHBORHOOD AND SITE
a) The dwelling must be free of conditions, which would endanger the safety of residents, such as dangerous walks, flooding, sewage backup, mudslides, etc.
b) Units must also be free of conditions, which would impair the health of tenants, such as abnormal air pollution, excessive noise, trash piles, vermin or rodent infestation.

The above listed Housing Quality Standards are the minimum standards acceptable. In any and all cases where there is a question as to the acceptability of a unit, the Huntington West Virginia Housing Authority shall make the final determination.

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