Subsidizing slumlords? - Trestletree Village Apartments (Atlanta: section 8, rental, crime)

[jsvh]

I was just reading this article ( Overhaul Planned for Trestletree Village Apartments - East Atlanta, GA Patch ) and it's comments. And have also seen stories about Wingate along Boulevard. I am curious who has insight into how the backend of this system works.

Sounds like the developer is getting city-backed bonds at ~$122,000 per 2/1 unit to do what appears to very minimal remodel (paint and new columns?). And is then gets paid subsidized section 8 rent (including on vacant units?).

I am in favor of short term partial coverage of rent to private landlords for those that need it to shelter their family while they get back on there feet. But why are we subsidizing landlords directly? This sounds broken / corrupt. Anyone else have any insight into this?

[netdragon]

If that person is updating, they are NOT a slumlord. As someone who owns a rental duplex downtown, I take offence.

If you didn't have people maintaining these in-town properties, they'd become vacant drug and rat infested crime factories.

It's very very hard to keep these intown properties occupied unless they can attract better clientelle. Otherwise, you end up with people who don't pay their rent and then dart off once you put pressure on them.

Believe it or not, section 8 - run by the AHA - is VERY picky. Without the upgrades, they probably wouldn't get section 8 in there. You try privately funding said upgrades on a very old property and see if the rent from the kind of clientelle you get there without section 8 tenants will cover it.

[bsn5512]

Yes, taxpayer money will be used to subsidize section 8 housing. I live near trestletree in grant park. In brief, the two section 8 complexes have been nightmares for years. Noise all night, gun shots, etc. now, the city is giving the new slumlord 15 million in tax money to do 1 million worth of work. So basically, I work, So tax money can be used to pay their rent. They commit crimes or invite folks over who then commit crimes. Instead of addressing this, the city takes the tax money I pay, gives it to the slumlord, who pockets it, and then tries to sell me the idea that somehow the problems will stop because even though the same folks live there, things will be different because their row house is painted and they have access to a computer lab.