Scranton in 20 Years (Williamsport, East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg: middle-class, 2010, crime)

[Trucker7]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Does Scranton's public housing REALLY have all that?! I pay $1,135/month (no utilities included) for a 1-BR apartment in a ho-hum bland suburb and have NO fitness center, NO pool, NO computer room, older appliances, etc.

Yes, see it for yourself South Scranton housing complex completes major renovation - News - The Times-Tribune

So, quit your job in Virginia, come back to Scranton, relax, open a can of beer, and live the good life, courtesy of the Scranton Housing Authority and the local taxpayers.

[Slammin' Scrannin']

Section 8 housing is, on the merits, a fantastic program that helps keep families off the street. I realize that there's no getting around the fact that low-income earners typically aren't the sort we associate with at church picnics and backyard barbecues. These aren't the people whose children's birthday parties we attend. They are easy to marginalize and they tend not to generate much sympathy with their own actions. But they are people.

The improvements mentioned hardly make Scranton a bona fide Disneyworld for the Disadvantaged. I hardly think air conditioning, a gym, and access to computers are wild extravagances. Replacing appliances from the 1970's is a no-brainer. But these improvements are hardly luxurious living, even from Scranton's lower standards. Skyview Apartments is still low-income housing, and everyone, including the tenants, knows it.

It simply isn't a tenable position to close off affordable-housing as an option in this city. If not here then where? While I understand some of your political positions put some of you in the "just let them die/live off the mere fraction of public support that charities provide/etc" but that might be delving too deeply into political questions.

More information on the Skyview Apts renovation here and general information on the Section 8 program here.

[The-Electric-City]

Here's the second part of my thread. Does anyone have any visions for the future of the city. I think it would be interesting to see hear what ideas people have that they would like to see completed in 20 years in Scranton.

[Trucker7]

Originally Posted by Slammin' Scrannin'

Section 8 housing is, on the merits, a fantastic program that helps keep families off the street. I realize that there's no getting around the fact that low-income earners typically aren't the sort we associate with at church picnics and backyard barbecues. These aren't the people whose children's birthday parties we attend. They are easy to marginalize and they tend not to generate much sympathy with their own actions. But they are people.

Murderers and drug dealers are also people. That doesn't mean that I have to have any sympathy for them. The fact is that for a lot of people, being on welfare and section 8 is a way of life. They have no desire to work and expect the government to provide them with all their necessities.

I hardly think air conditioning, a gym, and access to computers are wild extravagances.

I do think that AC and a gym in a taxpayer funded public housing development are extravagances. Computers are OK if they will be used for useful purposes, like education or job search, not for checking Facebook or looking at porn.

It simply isn't a tenable position to close off affordable-housing as an option in this city. If not here then where?

New York City

[InfectedMushroom]

In before thread closing

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

I still think Scranton has great unforseen potential; however the pluses of the city need to be capitalized on, and some of the negative aspects need more work. I still think a lot of any cities' problems have to do with image. Sarasota has a much better public image than Scranton...but I assure you that cultural/entertainment venues are VASTLY superior in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Get rid of those UGLY culmn mountains and reclaim the land...this one action will go a long way to improving the city's image; especially among first time tourists and visitors. Being proud of ones city "don't" hurt either....heyna...LOL.....many people who left the area really do love it...being more tolerant of minorities WILL help to revitalize the city. And the CRONISM and unwillingness to annex and consolidate all the small towns NEEDS to STOP. The future of Scranton lies partly on the resident's shoulders, ain't that the truth. And Pittston....I just don't know...W.B. seems to be making strides forward....CONSOLIDATE! More prestige, even just on a map goes a long way and opens the door for more state and federal funding without the incredible duplication of services...like Yatesville in Pittston.... less than 1,000 people yet a seperate political entity with the duplication of municipal services. Become 5 cities if one or two causes too much turmoil...5 boroughs within one city....if things like this do not change than neither will the area's future.

[NYRangers 2008]

Originally Posted by Trucker7

Scranton city officials have to make it inhospitable for welfare recipients, junkies, and other undesirables to settle here if they want any respectable middle class families to relocate here. Remodeling public housing (Skyview Park Apts.) with new applicances, central AC, computer rooms, and gym is only going to attract more lowlifes. They should also end the section 8 program in residential areas and not allow absent landlords from buying a nice house and divide it in 4 apartments.

Excellent post. You make some great points. Get rid of Section 8 and KOZ's to start.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Does Scranton's public housing REALLY have all that?! I pay $1,135/month (no utilities included) for a 1-BR apartment in a ho-hum bland suburb and have NO fitness center, NO pool, NO computer room, older appliances, etc.

After just spending 3 years in Northern VA, I'm pretty surprised you are living somewhere that doesn't have those luxuries. Just about every place we looked at had a pool, fitness center and computer room.

Our beginning rent for a 2 BR apt. was 1358. It was over 1,500 when we moved out last month. Crazy cost of living down there.

[go phillies]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

I believe Scranton will attract people moving west from metro NYC but I believe it will be the wrong kind of people. Welfare recepients, Section 8 people, low income people. I predict the left over white natives will "head for the hill's" as crime, and violence increase, and the city will resemble a small Patterson or Newark. I predict violent crime will increase ten fold, and even if Scranton were to attract any good paying jobs to the city, that the white collar/middle class will choose to live in the surrounding suburbs and towns and commute into Scranton for work. I think Scranton will continue to see a mass exodus of people out of the city, as long as coal doesn't make a miraculous comeback (which it won't). I just don't see much good on the horizon, not just for Scranton but across the country. I think America's glory days are over, especially Scranton's!, and America's place at the top of the world and only superpower in also coming to an end. I believe America owned the 20th century, and now it is China's turn at the top.The 21st century will belong to China, and it's our own damn fault. I know that will probably upset alot of people, but that's the butal truth as I see it.

Unfortunately, you may be right. There are already signs of this happening.

Thanks again Sister Adrian!

[go phillies]

Originally Posted by Slammin' Scrannin'

Crime in Scranton is not that bad.

According to City-Data's own calculations, the overall crime rate in Scranton is below the national average for all but the year 2005. We have a huge problem with thefts and burglaries, but not assaults (of which stabbings are included as an aggravated assault). But overall, Scranton is a really safe place to live now and in the foreseeable future. No trend lines indicate otherwise.

But those stats do not include this year, and crime has taken quite a jump this year.....coincidentally (or not) there seems to be more of a ghetto influence moving in....Its really ticking me off...I wish the ghetto trash would stay in their NYC/NJ/Philly hoods rather than spread the cancer to Scranton.