Wed, 14 May 2008 09:39:21 -0700 (PDT)
One of the biggest problems with Housing Choice (Sec
8) is that it requires the voucher holder to remain in
poverty. Once a voucher holder gains legal employment
of any kind, the voucher is revoked. There is little
or no incentive for the voucher holder to find gainful
employment since it's highly unlikely they could
afford to live in equivalent housing at minimum wage.
HUD/DCHA subsidizes 95% of the rent. Rent is
determined by local comparable rates. Those rates
usually follow the higher end. This is good deal for
property investors.
It's not unreasonable for a voucher holder in
Eckington to qualify for a $3,000 per month rent
subsidy for a 3 bedroom home. The voucher holder needs
to come up with about $100 each month to be paid to
the landlord (some landlords don't enforce this).
Taxpayers pick up the remainder. Problems arise in the
following circumstances:
1. The landlord neglects the property (won't clean,
weed, paint, etc)detracting from the appeal of the
neighborhood;
2. Non-voucher residents move into the property and
the landlord doesn't alert HUD/DCHA;
3. Non-voucher residents conduct illicit drug sales
and/or loiter, cause commotion in and around the
property.
It is NOT easy to get a voucher for a single family
home! There is a waiting list in DC with over 30,000
applicants. If a voucher holder and/or landlord is
found in violation of HUD rules, the voucher can be
revoked. What can you do? Call the DC Housing
Authority to report perceived violations of the
Housing Choice program at 535-1245.
This is not a color issue, but rather an issue of
following Housing Choice guidelines, basic common
sense and respect for your neighbors. How hard is it
to pick up the trash and keep your voice down in the
evening? That has nothing to do with race.
--- elizabeth louise
>
> Then instead of saying that it is just the section 8
> folks, why not actually charge the housing authority
> who is supposed to oversee section 8 folks? I am
> watching this exchange concerning the section 8
> folks & it confirms my suspicions, that it is much
> easier to attack a people than to fight a system
> that is not providing them with much support either.
> It becomes an all out war on those who need these
> services, some whom have been in this system because
> of their low income all their lives.
> Most folks who are on section 8 in the District are
> people of color, not limited to, but largely people
> of color, so your concerns (read attacks) seem to be
> very narrow in scope till it seems racist.
> You are complaining about something that existed
> before any of you moved to your areas, so how as I
> read earlier can someone say "seems a lot of section
> 8 people are moving to this area"? Section 8 &t hat
> area have a very long history, so since you moved
> into that area, doesn't it behoove you to find
> solutions that will work not only so you will be
> happy, but will also benefit those others who are on
> the programs?
> The trends I am seeing in this city are frightening,
> those who have more money set the agenda & tone for
> scores of neighborhoods that existed way before they
> ever thought of moving in & the "solutions" I am
> hearing are just that for the homeowners who
> actually moved in 10+ years ago.
> Don't you see something really wrong with this
> picture
> Denise Wright
> Please contact me about this, I
> have experience with the Housing Authority.
>
> Commissioner Wright 5C05
>
>
>
> D. Wright drdee777@hotmail.com Mind Matters
> Consulting Group
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> To: Eckington@yahoogroups.com
> From: edwin.hodge@yahoo.com
> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 18:55:59 -0700
> Subject: Re: [Eckington] Section 8 tenants
>
> Hi Darren,
>
> which block of Randolph are you talking about?
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: dspeece
> To: Eckington@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 4:28:02 PM
> Subject: [Eckington] Section 8 tenants
>
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering if anyone on the listserve has
> experience with the
> Section 8 housing authority, tenants, and landlords.
>
> We have a problem on Randolph Pl with a couple of
> specific Sec. 8
> tenants that are not good neighbors to say the
> least. I have filed a
> complaint with the Housing Authority and raised
> concerns with the
> landlord, but I am not confident our problems will
> be resolved.
> Please pass along any advice you may have.
>
> On a related, but separate note, I also wonder if we
> should all be
> concerned about the increased number of Section 8
> tenants in the
> neighborhood. The voucher program is a good one in
> principle, but
> it's not screened and watchdogged very well (at
> least in my
> experience). I am sure there are people on the
> listserve that know
> more than I do, but I thought I should at least pose
> the question.
>
> Darren on Ra
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