Capito Takes On New Role

By JOSELYN KING
WHEELING — U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito has a new job in Congress — one that will give her a say on such matters as funding for rural housing programs and the rebuilding of flooded areas in the South.

Capito, R-W.Va., has been named ranking member of the Housing and Community Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. She has served on the subcommittee since her election to Congress in 2000. She will serve as the top Republican on the subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over such areas as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Government National Mortgage Association and the National Flood Insurance Program. Issues before the committee pertain to public housing and community development.

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, previously was a chairman of this subcommittee, and U.S. Rep. Charles Wilson, D-Ohio, currently serves among its ranks.

“It’s a large responsibility on a subcommittee that covers housing of all kinds,” Capito said. “I am excited about it. It’s a place where I can make a difference.

“It’s a good opportunity for the state,” she added. “To have the ranking membership makes my contributions more loud. I will be able to have more input in legislation.’’

She said that while West Virginia has a good rate of home ownership, there is some concern about the quality of homes in the state and the availability of rental housing here.

“We want to keep moving forward and keep the rate of foreclosures low,” Capito added. “We have to keep up on changing markets and how different programs are affecting West Virginians.”

Among the issues to soon come before the housing subcommittee is the reauthorization of the Federal Housing Administration’s loan program — a funding mechanism that allows those with moderate to low incomes to purchase homes.

“It hasn’t been modernized to keep up with values of real estate,” Capito said.

The subcommittee also will be looking at providing more transitional housing for seniors and will continue to deal with issues pertaining to the rebuilding of areas destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“That’s going to be an ongoing issue,” Capito said.

She described the House Financial Services Committee as a huge committee that deals with legislation pertaining to banking, the stock market, insurance and credit cards as well as housing.

“Housing is the one area people don’t consider as a marquis part of financial services,” Capito said. “But home sales is one of the leading indicators of the market.”