http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs ... /index.cfm
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs ... _sheet.cfm
What are housing choice vouchers?
The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.
Is this particular Section 8 option happening in Lakewood?
Moderator: Jim O'Bryan
-
Stephen Eisel
- Posts: 3281
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:36 pm
Is this particular Section 8 option happening in Lakewood?
This seems much more logical and beneficial.
-
Brian Pedaci
- Posts: 496
- Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:17 am
As far as I know, that IS "Section 8" as we know it.
http://www.cmha.net/hcvp/index.aspx
http://www.cmha.net/hcvp/index.aspx
This is the only option listed on the CMHA website other than the properties they own and operate. Which other options do you see being implemented?The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) provides rental assistance to help low income persons afford decent and safe rental housing. HCVP Programs are funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and administered by public housing agencies throughout the country. The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) is the housing agency that administers an HCVP Program in Cuyahoga County.
A person selected to participate in HCVP is issued a rental voucher and is then free to locate a dwelling unit suitable to the family's needs and desires in the private rental market. Once the family selects a unit, CMHA must inspect the unit before initial leasing and at least annually thereafter to ensure that the unit meets HUD housing quality standards (HQS). Once the unit passes an HQS inspection, CMHA will enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the Owner who leases the unit to the family. Thereafter, CMHA pays a portion of the rent - a housing assistance payment - to the owner on behalf of the family.
Under the rental voucher program, the family is generally required to pay approximately 40% of adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities. The Housing Assistance Payment made by CMHA to the Owner generally pays the remaining 60% of the approved contract rent.
-
Stan Austin
- Contributor
- Posts: 2465
- Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:02 pm
- Contact:
Stephen-- In reality there hasn't been a "Section 8" program for many years. The voucher program which you have referenced replaced it. And, it does sound reasonably good because it does come closer to a market system of choice in housing as compared to the old stereotype of the government buying or building housing units.
But, the big elephant in the room still remains. And that is that "Section 8" has become established in the Lakewood lexicon and is broadly used to describe classes or categories of people with characteristics that the user of the term doesn't like.
Stan Austin
But, the big elephant in the room still remains. And that is that "Section 8" has become established in the Lakewood lexicon and is broadly used to describe classes or categories of people with characteristics that the user of the term doesn't like.
Stan Austin
-
Jim O'Bryan
- Posts: 14196
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: Lakewood
- Contact:
Stan
Will this mean that we have just increased our safety forces? We have the Lakewood Police, fast, good, and in numbers. Then we have Transit Police, and CMHA that will only stop criminals after they get their daily burrito at Chipotle, as I see them line up in the fire lane to do?
Let's see if the Voucher Program could go to $1,600 a month so that my disandvataged sisters and brothers can live in Bay, Westlake, or even some over charged Lakewood doubles.
A thought?
.
Will this mean that we have just increased our safety forces? We have the Lakewood Police, fast, good, and in numbers. Then we have Transit Police, and CMHA that will only stop criminals after they get their daily burrito at Chipotle, as I see them line up in the fire lane to do?
Let's see if the Voucher Program could go to $1,600 a month so that my disandvataged sisters and brothers can live in Bay, Westlake, or even some over charged Lakewood doubles.
A thought?
.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
-
Gary Rice
- Posts: 1653
- Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:59 pm
- Location: Lakewood
Jim,
Your pride in all things Lakewood is understandable.
Your concern for safety and welfare of our citizenry is also commendable.
The fact remains, however, that the poor are with us in our city.
I hope that you would understand that this is not the disaster that some seem to feel.
For our society to improve, there must be assistance to those less fortunate. Although we could discuss the best ways to achieve that, the fact remains that societal issues require solutions that are creative and positive, rather than simply reacting punitively, or from fear.
A good example of one program that has achieved so much, both for its clients, and for society, would be Ohio's Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. This great program helps many to find vocational interests, and helps with money and job searches for those who might otherwise not be able to find the resources for success on their own.
You've mentioned the trials of our neighbor Cleveland to the East. If those trials are true, you might logically surmise that people would want to come here for a better life.
Point of fact, I see a lot of good things going on in Cleveland too.
While I'm all for each suburb maintaining a degree of autonomy, I don't see some regionalism necessarily as being the elephant in the room. Like everything else done in this country, when people start thinking and working together, good things can happen.
The hard thing for many to understand is that Lakewood can only remain attractive if Cleveland is, as well.
Your pride in all things Lakewood is understandable.
Your concern for safety and welfare of our citizenry is also commendable.
The fact remains, however, that the poor are with us in our city.
I hope that you would understand that this is not the disaster that some seem to feel.
For our society to improve, there must be assistance to those less fortunate. Although we could discuss the best ways to achieve that, the fact remains that societal issues require solutions that are creative and positive, rather than simply reacting punitively, or from fear.
A good example of one program that has achieved so much, both for its clients, and for society, would be Ohio's Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. This great program helps many to find vocational interests, and helps with money and job searches for those who might otherwise not be able to find the resources for success on their own.
You've mentioned the trials of our neighbor Cleveland to the East. If those trials are true, you might logically surmise that people would want to come here for a better life.
Point of fact, I see a lot of good things going on in Cleveland too.
While I'm all for each suburb maintaining a degree of autonomy, I don't see some regionalism necessarily as being the elephant in the room. Like everything else done in this country, when people start thinking and working together, good things can happen.
The hard thing for many to understand is that Lakewood can only remain attractive if Cleveland is, as well.
-
Jim O'Bryan
- Posts: 14196
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: Lakewood
- Contact:
Gary Rice wrote:Jim,
Your pride in all things Lakewood is understandable.
Your concern for safety and welfare of our citizenry is also commendable.
The fact remains, however, that the poor are with us in our city.
Gary
You are talking to a person that believes it is more blessed to give than to receive.
I am well aware of the poor in Lakewood.
What I proposed is a FAIR way to spread the burden of helping the poor. Let's all reach over and offer hands of salvation and help. Westlake, Bay, Solon, Indpedence, etc.
What if it could be proven to you, that the influx of poor in Lakewood is unnatural, and the work of people working to drive values down? What if it could be explained that some use poor, race, religion to destroy neighborhoods, cause friction and flight? Do we allow these disadvantaged souls to be used as weapons, fodder for the powerful?
In every form of life, business and even salvation, the host must be healthy to sustain or even think of helping others. The healthier the city the more they can afford to help. This only makes sense.
Gary, the million dollar question. At what point can a city no longer bail and stay afloat? Here is what we stand to lose. Our schools through NCLB, as they are turned over to the state to run. The somewhat stable platform of our tax base. Schools are not talking of a levy yet, and it would seem we are looking to buy new things with tax levies not stay even. A reduced tax base, means more taxes as we take on more than a fair share of the burden.
I know you are one of the last people I would have to explain my giving to others to. You my friend have a heart of gold, an inspiration to us all. Me, I'm trying to run businesses and save property values and help those that need it, especially to help themselves.
FWIW
.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
-
Stephen Eisel
- Posts: 3281
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:36 pm
How about the ownership aspect of the program? Are any Section 8 tenants in Lakewood on their way to owning a home or condo etc?Stan Austin wrote:Stephen-- In reality there hasn't been a "Section 8" program for many years. The voucher program which you have referenced replaced it. And, it does sound reasonably good because it does come closer to a market system of choice in housing as compared to the old stereotype of the government buying or building housing units.
But, the big elephant in the room still remains. And that is that "Section 8" has become established in the Lakewood lexicon and is broadly used to describe classes or categories of people with characteristics that the user of the term doesn't like.
Stan Austin
-
Gary Rice
- Posts: 1653
- Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:59 pm
- Location: Lakewood
Jim,
Well said.
And thanks again for your kind words.
You are a person who cares.
Inner ring communities like Lakewood often face a disproportionate influx of social issues because, relative to the rest of the county, we are affordable and near to the central city. The same attributes that attract the urban businessperson, and the young family, also attract the needful.
The Federal Government recognizes this and therefore allocates to us dollars to assist with these issues. A citizens' committee hears proposals for the allocation of those dollars, and the Mayor and council then are given our recommendation. They then respond.
This is the committee that will be holding hearings in August, of which I am a member.
As a retired Parma teacher, I can say that Parma also is having to respond to some of the same social and cultural issues that we are.
We've had some wild interactions about those issues here on the 'Deck, have we not?
Remember when had a lively discussion awhile back on the 'Deck about hound dogs under the porch, or someone's underwear flapping on a clothesline?
Social and cultural issues, yeah!
But isn't a clothesline energy-efficient and appropriately retro?
Not with MY underwear on it!
Also, how far do we go with this pseudo-Victorian wonderland thing?
(disclaimer- we are having the house painted in gorgeous tri-tone this week, so I guess we're joining the crowd)
Still, ownership can be a great thing indeed. The more that homes are owned by their occupants, the better.
And by the way, for those who do not know, although my family did not need it, Lakewood's "Operation Paintbrush" is another dandy way to help the disadvantaged property owner out. That's yet another operation that our committee works with.
Keep thinking Jim, I will be expecting many more great ideas out of that head of yours!
Well said.
And thanks again for your kind words.
You are a person who cares.
Inner ring communities like Lakewood often face a disproportionate influx of social issues because, relative to the rest of the county, we are affordable and near to the central city. The same attributes that attract the urban businessperson, and the young family, also attract the needful.
The Federal Government recognizes this and therefore allocates to us dollars to assist with these issues. A citizens' committee hears proposals for the allocation of those dollars, and the Mayor and council then are given our recommendation. They then respond.
This is the committee that will be holding hearings in August, of which I am a member.
As a retired Parma teacher, I can say that Parma also is having to respond to some of the same social and cultural issues that we are.
We've had some wild interactions about those issues here on the 'Deck, have we not?
Remember when had a lively discussion awhile back on the 'Deck about hound dogs under the porch, or someone's underwear flapping on a clothesline?
Social and cultural issues, yeah!
But isn't a clothesline energy-efficient and appropriately retro?
Not with MY underwear on it!
Also, how far do we go with this pseudo-Victorian wonderland thing?
(disclaimer- we are having the house painted in gorgeous tri-tone this week, so I guess we're joining the crowd)
Still, ownership can be a great thing indeed. The more that homes are owned by their occupants, the better.
And by the way, for those who do not know, although my family did not need it, Lakewood's "Operation Paintbrush" is another dandy way to help the disadvantaged property owner out. That's yet another operation that our committee works with.
Keep thinking Jim, I will be expecting many more great ideas out of that head of yours!
-
Frank Murtaugh
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:51 pm
- Location: LAKEWOOD
There is pending legislation to increase funding for the Section 8 program. http//feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/rel ... 5/20070501
Others say the program should be ended. The following article is interesting. Let's End Housing Vouchers, Howard Husock
CMHA touts its well funded state of the art police force. http://www.cmha.net/police/index.aspx.
The literature is overflowing with complaints from all over the country about Section 8's deliterious effects upon once healthy neighborhoods.
There should be no increase in program funding until Congress addresses the fact that the program, while helping the disabled, causes major irreversible problems for cities like Lakewood. At very least, Congress should provide substantial funds to augment police departments which deal with the crime which comes along with Section 8.
Others say the program should be ended. The following article is interesting. Let's End Housing Vouchers, Howard Husock
CMHA touts its well funded state of the art police force. http://www.cmha.net/police/index.aspx.
The literature is overflowing with complaints from all over the country about Section 8's deliterious effects upon once healthy neighborhoods.
There should be no increase in program funding until Congress addresses the fact that the program, while helping the disabled, causes major irreversible problems for cities like Lakewood. At very least, Congress should provide substantial funds to augment police departments which deal with the crime which comes along with Section 8.
-
dl meckes
- Posts: 1475
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:29 pm
- Location: Lakewood
-
Dee Martinez
- Posts: 141
- Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:47 am
Seems to me it wasnt that long ago that the "Arabs" were going to be the death of Lakewood. Then even "they" were moving out when it was the Bosnians and the Albanians moving in.
Now its the Section 8 people.
Eventually someone named Gonzalez will get picked up for robbing a convenience store and it will be the Mexicans on the chopping block and Ill have to start using my maiden name again.
Why do we always need an evil "other" to blame for our issues?
Now its the Section 8 people.
Eventually someone named Gonzalez will get picked up for robbing a convenience store and it will be the Mexicans on the chopping block and Ill have to start using my maiden name again.
Why do we always need an evil "other" to blame for our issues?
-
Stephen Eisel
- Posts: 3281
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:36 pm
I do not think that anyone brought up race in this thread or referred to any specific ethnic group as being evil. The goal or hope was that some of our Section 8 neighbors were buying homes in the city of Lakewood. I feel. The more people that have ownership / equity in Lakewood the better things will become here.Dee Martinez wrote:Seems to me it wasnt that long ago that the "Arabs" were going to be the death of Lakewood. Then even "they" were moving out when it was the Bosnians and the Albanians moving in.
Now its the Section 8 people.
Eventually someone named Gonzalez will get picked up for robbing a convenience store and it will be the Mexicans on the chopping block and Ill have to start using my maiden name again.
Why do we always need an evil "other" to blame for our issues?
-
Dee Martinez
- Posts: 141
- Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:47 am
Nor did I.Stephen Eisel wrote:I do not think that anyone brought up race in this thread or referred to any specific ethnic group as being evil. .
If you read carefully you will see that I am referring to the "Section 8" label as creating a new "ethnic" group in Lakewood, a new "other" to blame our troubles on. Saying "Section 8" in Lakewood is like saying "illegal immigrants" in other parts of the country. Trust me.
Answer this: How do you or anyone KNOW if a tenant or household is "Section 8"? Those matters are fairly confidential, so without a direct admission by the property owner or tenant, what would lead you to believe the family at 1234 Main Street is a Sec 8 familiy?
-
Stephen Eisel
- Posts: 3281
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:36 pm
Dee Martinez wrote:Seems to me it wasnt that long ago that the "Arabs" were going to be the death of Lakewood. Then even "they" were moving out when it was the Bosnians and the Albanians moving in.
Now its the Section 8 people.
Eventually someone named Gonzalez will get picked up for robbing a convenience store and it will be the Mexicans on the chopping block and Ill have to start using my maiden name again.
Why do we always need an evil "other" to blame for our issues?
-
Stephen Eisel
- Posts: 3281
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:36 pm
Sorry, the correlation between ethnic groups moving into Lakewood and section 8 tenants is apples to oranges. There are financial concerns about the number of Section 8 tenants that the city can handle. This is not a race based issue but a financial concern issue. Personally, I would like to see more people with equity in the city via home ownership. If section 8 housing has no financial impact on the city then I stand corrected.