Is Section 8 A Good Thing? (low income, coupons, rental)

[neekah18]

With all of the ruckus about the middle class and lower middle class being eliminated, do you believe section 8 is a good thing? I know alot of these welfare programs were created for the Depression Era, but I was wondering has these programs hinderd our society?

I think the purpose of these threads is to open our minds and I really want to open mine and kind of challenged what I have always thought on the subject.

[new jersey mike]

No I don't think it is. Although it pays a part of the rent there is no incentive for the person to better their life. They can find more and more programs that enable that type of dependency.

I am a landlord and I don't want sec-8 and if I'm not careful I can get fined if I were to come out and state that. Is that fair? I can't even have a choice who I rent to.

There are no easy answers and there are many aspect to section 8, if we ask the social worker they would say yes, it's their job.

Ask the senior who can not afford there taxes, they will say no.

More and more people want something for nothing.

[TDChase]

Have to agree with Mike on this one. Just another way for people to get something for nothing and learn to depends on others and the government.

section 8 is not good, sure it serves a purpose but the whole system could use a good revamp.

[krusher]

Section 8 is definitely not good for the community or property values. I've lived in 2 separate condo communities that became overrun with section 8 folks. From what I heard from the landlords there, the govt was willing to pay more then the going rental rate so many landlords jumped on it. This was central jersey, so we're talking north of $1200 per month in rent for a 2 bedroom. Of course, the crime rate went up in the area and a bunch of these section 8 condos were destroyed by their tenants.

It really frosted my cookies too, to know that I was busting my butt to make ends meet and there was someone living next door in an identical condo who had 3 kids and no job.

[neekah18]

That is what upsets me. Is the criteria for receiving Section 8 based upon income? Is that why they keep raising minimum wage every year or so? Because they figure welfare recipients only work minimum wage jobs and if we can keep raising minimum wage maybe there won't be a need for welfare.

I guess it would help if I actually met or heard from someone who has received Section 8 and was a success story. I haven't met one yet that can form a complete sentence but yet they know all the tricks to "beating the system. They know how to move in and out of state with Section 8 and what other assistance they can receive but will not contact anyone for a decent job or further their education (even though they can receive a substantial amount of financial aid while us poor working folks had to work full-time to pay tuition and bust our humps for even the smallest scholarship).

[MECCALOVE]

Sec 8 is a vey good program and yes it does help WORKING people who can't afford the 1300 rent for a 2 bdr. I work for the State of NJ and I am on sec 8. If it wasn't for the program I would not be able to support my family.......thank goodness for the programs that are still around to help low income working people any salary under 40,000 is considered low income.

[Tam27]

Section 8 Success story right here! When I was 19 (with a 4 year old son) my cousin called me early in the morning telling me that there was a "Section 8 Line" that we would have stand in for hours, in order to sign up for Section 8. Needless to say...I wasn't very interested. She practically drug me out of bed to go. And it turns out that that was one of the best things I've done to better my life.

I was able to remove myself and my son from "The Hood", and a very negative environment; to a more positive one. I remember my rent being just $12!! But at the same time, I was in college and not working much. Section 8 allowed me to be able to focus on school and get good grades, instead of having to work full time in order to pay full rent. I really think that if I wouldn't have had Section 8, I would have not finished college because of the negative environment that my son and I were in. I would have just worked my behind off to get us a better place to live, and probably would have never had time for school.

I graduated from Temple U when I was 25 and now...2 years later, I have a great job with a great salary, and I'm about to close on my first condo!! I'll be saying bye bye to Section 8 on February 25th when I close. So all in all, I think that Section 8 is a good thing for those who plan to use it to better their lives. BUT, I'd say about 85% of the people who are on Section 8 are not using it for that reason. I have friends and know people from "The Hood" that are having babies and purposely loosing their jobs just so that their rent will be lower. That's not right. I think there should be a 5 year limit on Section 8. I mean, I did it in 5 years...so it's definitely possible.

[emilo81]

No, Section 8 makes people depended on the government for assistance. Dependency means lazyness.

[neekah18]

Congratulations to you Tam!!! I definitely think there should be a limit to Section 8. I know people that have children and are on Section 8, won't work in a pie factory, but will be the first one waiting during tax season because they let someone claim their child on their income tax so they can get the money!!! There are also people who live in nice neighborhoods where there are working families who don't qualify for any aid but they continue to struggle. Those that receive Section 8 and food stamps drive around in new cars and SUV's.

[neekah18]

Oh and also on the first of the month they will have grocery carts full of food and a ton of junk food, while I am clipping coupons and trying to find sales.