re: Why do we still have section 8 in this country?

At one point in my life I owned two apartment complexes mostly filled with Section 8 vouchers.

Section 8 is designed primarily for single mothers to help subsidize their housing. It is a tough and stringent program to get on and vouchers are only available as Fedeal dollars are available. If Fed dollars are spent for the year, no new vouchers are issued.

To receive a voucher an applicant has to provide tax returns and document two years of earnings and expenses. A single mother with one child qualifies for a one bedroom apt, two kids two bedroom apt/house, three kids etc. The voucher can be used for any rental property anywhere as long as the landlord will accept it. The voucher amount is determined by the local market rate for a given unit the applicant qualifies for. If the applicant has no job and is dependent upon food stamps, Medicaid etc chances are the voucher will pay the full monthly rent. If the applicant has a job the voucher amount falls and and the amount owed by the tenant rises based upon a formula.

The housing unit does have to be inspected by the Section 8 office and has to meet guidelines, so no, the unit can't be a dump or a slum. In fact many dont qualify and the landlord can choose not to accept the tenant or the voucher and both part ways. The applicant must be criminal record free, must report all income to the office and must pay their share of the voucher monthly or they are kicked off the program. The unit is only to be lived in by the mother and children and no one else. No baby daddies, no parents, if that rule is violated, they are off the program permanently...something I was very strict about.

It isn't a total free ride but like all govt programs it can be cheated or manipulated. I saw it benefit and do what it was planned to do many times, and I saw it abused and cheated many times, moreso the former than latter.