Monday, June 9, 2008

Section 8 Problems In Hampton Roads

Monday's Virginian-Pravda reports problems finding housing that will take Section 8 vouchers in Norfolk and Portsmouth. http://hamptonroads.com/2008/06/renters-find-doors-shut-affordable-section-8-housing As I have a Section 8 voucher myself (due to disability), I have some insight on this one.

First of all, note the numbers: Norfolk issues more vouchers despite having about half the population of Virginia Beach, while Portsmouth issues about 65% despite having about 25% of the population. Virginia Beach should have a much larger voucher program than it does. If it did, the problems finding an unit would be infinitely greater. As is, only one-third of the landlords on the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation's (DHNP) "affordable housing" list will accept Section 8 vouchers.

Second, it raises another question: Where will the region's poor live? Our businesses require blue-collar labor, and that labor needs housing.

Then, I have a simple solution for some young lady trying to find housing that is Section 8 subsidized: marry me. I have a voucher and a two bedroom apartment that is in the program.
All she'd have to do is go down to DHNP and complete the requisite paperwork.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was able to read some of the comments before commenting was shut down. Be glad commenting was disabled. For example, "I'd never rent to Section 8 - they always tear up property that they don't give a hoot about"

That's not an exact comment, but it gives you an idea of what many posters wrote.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't that be too much an age diff?

Avenging Archangel said...

Not that many available my age. Besides, likely to be divorcees, which is problematic for a Catholic.