CHPN - Hates Section 8
Ok, maybe the folks over at CHPN don't really hate the Section 8 program. But I was surprised by their article on CHPN today and the fact that they ref an article from Michael Williams at the RTD.
First, if it wasn't for the Section 8 program many of the families that live in the Church Hill and surrounding areas wouldn't be able to do so without that voucher. Anyone know what Rent is going for these days in Church Hill. $$$$.
In the article that the CHPN referenced -- it stated that a tenant had a week to find a place to live. Really, First off -- Is it LEGAL for a landlord to only give a 1 weeks notice? Another Tenant found a place 2 months ago, paid a deposit but was unable to get the Apartment inspected. (Section 8 requires the apartment to be inspected before a voucher can be given). However, it was noted in the article that the Section 8 inspector was having trouble reaching the landlord and the landlord was not completing paperwork completely. Really, I just don't believe anyone would have trouble reaching their landlord.
The article also mentioned that landlords complain about the inspection process and the fact that it is done yearly. Of coarse they would complain. If you are a good landlord - than you probably don't and wouldn't have a problem with the Section 8 voucher. It's guaranteed rent on the 1st of every month - in the form of a government check (they don't bounce). But if you are a bad landlord -- than you probably have complaints.
For most people who rent -- if your landlord doesn't repair or replace something in your apartment - the process to get your landlord to take care of his responsibility is lengthy, costly, and just not worth it. But, if you are a Section 8 tenant -- and your apartment fails inspection - Your section 8 agent will send your landlord a letter giving him "x" amount of days to fix. If the problem isn't fixed -- Section 8 can abate the rent until it is fixed. I bet their were times when many of us wished we could have abated rent until a landlord finally got around to fixing something.
It would have been nice for the CHPN -- to bash Landlords of the Jefferson Townhouses for not working effectively with their tenants - and not bash a program that helps low income families
live in nice homes and apartment - instead of living in public housing.
For more info on the Section 8 program -- go here.
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2 comments:
Hey! You've got this wrong. I posted a summary of and a link to someone else's article. I'm all for any program that helps folks have places to live. And, the article is about a specific situation, not a critique of Section 8 in general. Think before you jump on someone.
Okay -- It's true the folks over at CHPN.net -- Do not Hate - Section 8.
True - they only posted a link to someone else's article -- Why anyone would link to Michael Williams at the RTD - is another post. My post was only to add some Facts to his article and to Clarify to CHPN - that it wasn't the section 8 program that left people in limbo - but in fact were the "not so good" Landlords. You know - the landlords - that CHPN has referred to many times in the past regarding rundown properties.
CHPN.Net, is certainly a great place to go too -- to stay on top of news, photos, and other info of whats going on in Church Hill. Especially, to folks who use to, but don't -- but wish they did still live in Church Hill.
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