Capito, House Committee Holds Hearing on Affordable Housing in West Virginia

Press Release

Capito, House Committee Holds Hearing on Affordable Housing in West Virginia

Martinsburg Hosts Hearing With Testimony from Federal, State and Local Housing Officials

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity brought a full-scale congressional hearing to Martinsburg today.

Capito is the ranking member of the subcommittee and she joined Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) for today's hearing in the chamber of the Berkeley County Commission to discuss the state of affordable housing in West Virginia.

"The unusual geography of our state provides many unique challenges for the availability of affordable housing in West Virginia," noted Capito in her opening remarks. "Areas like Martinsburg and the eastern panhandle are rapidly growing, while other regions face stagnant growth and an older stock of affordable housing."

"Today's hearing provides an opportunity to discuss those challenges and bring West Virginia's voice to a national dialogue," Capito added later.

Throughout the hearing, Capito and Waters heard testimony from a range of federal, state and local officials.

Roy A. Bernardi, the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development spoke about recently passed legislation designed to address the ongoing credit crunch.

"While West Virginia enjoys one of the lowest housing foreclosure rates in the country, there are still many challenges facing the state when it comes to affordable housing," he said.

Russell Davis, the rural housing service administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture also testified, addressing issues specific to affordable housing in rural areas.

Local officials like Catherine Dodson of the Martinsburg Housing Authority, David Ross of the Martinsburg-based Men of Valor and Vision organization, David Rathbun of the West Virginia Housing Development Fund and Martinsburg Mayor George Karos provided local insight into affordable housing needs and challenges.

"We are starting to work together as a region to address affordable housing needs and the housing needs of our working families," said Karos in his testimony. "But we have a long way to go to make sure every household has decent affordable housing."

Capito also expressed her appreciation to Chairwoman Waters for joining her in West Virginia, noting the importance of highlighting the unique housing needs faced in rural areas.

"Chairwoman Waters has been a leader on the issue of affordable housing, and I was excited to welcome her to our state today," said Capito.

All testimony from today's hearing will be part of the official Congressional Record.

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