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

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Still, when my dad was a young man in the 70's, you could still get a regular, low skilled job and still support yourself. It's a shame what's been done to our money and our economy.

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My dad got out of the service, worked min. wage for a while til he worked up the ladder. I think our rent was $50/month for a two bedroom, one bath house.

Costs of living have just gone through the roof. Maybe subsidizing has helped that process.

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.

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In my opinion, the Section 8 program is closer to that than to just a straight handout.

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It is a handout.

For these programs to work, you've got to ensure people are moving up and not stagnant or falling out. The current system doesn't offer much in the way of making sure people are moving up and in fact inhibits it in many ways.

I've known a couple of people who've gone through section 8 and it helps some people become homeowners. Unfortunately zero down usually means they walk away at some point, as both of those I know who've gone through the program have done.

The current programs fricking suck, and until you folks stop defending them and realize what they are doing to people, the situation will get worse. They need reform in a bad way

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Politicians need votes

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it certainly doesn't explain why it exists in Louisiana.

So everybody go back and think about why conservative politicians want this giveaway to exist.

They won't cancel it because hundreds of wealthy people make money as landlords in the program.

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Section 8 has replaced public housing in most of the country. Why would we get rid of it?

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Because it rewards the buidlers, owners of the buildings off the backs of the taxpayers, many that share living in those same apartment buildings but pay full price for their home while their neighbor lives in an apartment that has the exact same floor space and gets section 8.
Here in Burbank there are apartments like that and the section 8 will pay less than $800 for their apartment that the other tenant is paying over $2,000 a month.

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As I understand it, Section 8 housing is free

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As I understand it, Section 8 housing is subsidized, based on the ability to pay.

The question I have, how is Section 8 housing determined. I think Section 8 is only applicable with renting and not with purchasing a home, but I am not 100% sure about that.

Secondly, can Section 8 charge a higher rent because of the subsidy? If I was in the business of buying homes and renting for a profit I would probably seek Section 8 applicants. Charge 20-30% more for the rent and let the government pay for it.

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Here they tend to be new construction and the rents are significantly higher

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Has anyone EVER lost money on a government contract?

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Has anyone EVER lost money on a government contract?

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Many people are complaining that Medicare doesn't pay doctors enough.