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Taxes, and Section 8 Housing
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:22 am
by Mark Crnolatas
Some interesting NON-conversations occurred this weekend, with neighbors.
On our street, there is, since we've lived on this street for over 20 yrs, more houses for sale at any one day than anyone remembers. Some are multiple property owners, that have other property elsewhere in our city.
My intention was to hand in a story on why the sellers, in my area, simply, were selling.
What few were willing to answer, answered in this way, in this order of importance to them.
The answers were, 1) "I'd rather not say". 2) "Don't mention my name." 3) Taxes are lower in (insert further west suburb name here) 4) Section 8 houses.
It's not in my makeup to judge people. I may or may not agree, but I'll leave the labeling to someone who enjoys doing that.
Point: Obviously this is a minute poll, but as BOTH the DNC and RNC had told me, when making phone calls to them, what one person says, represents approx. 1000 people. I don't know if that number applies here, but it poses a point that should PROBABLY be addressed clearly, in the paper version of the L.O. which I would guess reaches more homes than use the 'net, or addressed on both, if the boss says so.
So for those that wonder, even though both have been addressed at some point before, can we have an update to what IS being done regarding both property taxes, relative to the suburbs west of us, and Lakewood's share of Section 8 housing vs. the suburbs further west?
Also, anyone care to jump in? Here our names ARE used.
Mark Allan (Crnolatas)
_______________________
"A society or group of people exist soley in it's ability to maintain an atmosphere of peace and civility. It's failure is directly relative to the degree of the lack of these conditions".
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 10:51 am
by john crino
In a post I began some time back regarding section 8, the mayor said he was meeting with hud or cmha(do not remember which) to discuss lakewood's share of section 8. I asked him to fill us in on the meeting afterward. Maybe he could do that here. Mr. Mayor?
Also, while we are on the subject. Are people moving "because of the section 8 housing" itself or because of the behavoir of the people living specifically in that housing on their street.
So, in 2005 it's called "section 8 flight" as opposed to "white flight".
Remind them that there is section 8 in avon lake too.
Taxes and Section 8 Housing
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:06 am
by Mark Crnolatas
Rather than me relaying messages, I've asked those homeowners to post here, or have a member of their family post here.
I think that it is best it comes from their own words.
Mark Allan (Crnolatas)
"A society or group of people exist soley in it's ability to maintain an atmosphere of peace and civility. It's failure is directly relative to the degree of the lack of these conditions".
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:17 am
by kate parker
having lived in lakewood my entire 36 years, i decided that when it came time to purchase a home that i would do so in this fair city.
when looking for the desirable home to plant my family in, i made sure that i found one on a street with single family homes only.
i believe section 8 housing has ruined this city. landlords who take section 8 appear to care less about who they rent to so long as they get their monthly check. maybe if they had to rely on the actual renter to pay the rent rather than the government assured rent, then they would be more choosy of who they allowed to live on their property.
just one example of this....i previously rented an apartment and just across the street from this apartment was another apartment complex. this complex was not section 8 when i moved in and the neighborhood was delightful. a few months into my lease the other building went section 8. soon after, i could see drug deals happening right before my eyes. drunken neighbors in the middle of the day were puking in front of my children. these people also chose not to walk on the side walk, but rather would walk down the middle of the street, flipping off cars should they dare try to pass. their loud, foul language always colored the days. a long time resident of that building, a nun, recently chose to move out because of the drug activity in her building.
another problem, i believe, with section 8 housing, is that the property owners tend to care less about the property itself. could it be because they don't really care about the tenants they let in? maybe.
having grown up in this city, it makes me sad to see the direction it is going in. i am glad that i found a home on a street that has no section 8 but i fear that it won't last long. i'd hate to leave the city i love but if i wanted to live on denison avenue, then i'd live there.
i am carefully weighing the future of my children and if i wish for them to continue to grow up in a city that is getting more full of people who don't seem to care how they behave. and i believe section 8 housing is at the root of the problem.
my two cents.
kate "not section 8" parker
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:34 pm
by Lynn Farris
In my opinion, Section 8 is not the problem. But we do have landlords that tolerate misbehavior or absentee landlords. Some of these issues are issues for the police or the building department.
I met with some apartment landlords. The big apartments next to our building. The one, who owns 3 of the buildings indicated that he didn't solicit section 8 housing and in fact has only a handful of section 8 residents. But he explained that when they came to live there originally that they weren't section 8. But they had medical problems and lost their jobs and he helped them find a way to stay there. In his words, there but for the grace of God it could be me or someone I love and I hope someone would help them. I agree with him.
Another of the buildings is heavily dedicated to the handicapped. This is a great location for handicapped people because the buildings are designed with wheelchair access, we are close to the RTA and Nature's Bin is a great resource. Here again, I have to echo the other landlord - there but for the grace of God - it could be me or someone I loved and I hope there would be a safe place for me to live.
Our office was originally in Lake Shore Tower. It is a senior citizen building heavily that works with seniors on restricted income to live in a nice safe location. A beautiful - but small apartment. I always felt extra safe there with my kids coming in after school to do there homework.
I think when we use housing projects we really create slums. Being able to integrate some people whether they have had medical problems, been downsized or outsourced to a 3rd world country and are having problems finding another job, are handicapped or seniors makes our society richer and more understanding.
No, I don't want to tolerate a drug dealer living next to me - and I understand neither do you. But a lot of people live in section 8 housing who are fine people. Call the police on the ones that aren't so fine.
JMHO
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:52 pm
by kate parker
Being able to integrate some people whether they have had medical problems, been downsized or outsourced to a 3rd world country and are having problems finding another job, are handicapped or seniors makes our society richer and more understanding
agreed.
what i don't agree with, and what is conspiciously left off that list are welfare queens and people who are able to but yet do not work. apartments are just one example of section 8. do not forget double houses, many of which are in a sad state of affairs south of detroit avenue. i do not believe section 8 should be sacked. i just believe it needs to be reigned in.
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 3:57 pm
by Lynn Farris
No one likes to see abuse of the system by healthy people who can get a job and work and just won't. But we don't throw the whole system out because of a few bad apples. We reform it or put up with the few bad ones to help the many worthy people who truly need assistance.
I worked in college financial aid. Same situation. The vast majority of the kids getting financial aid need it and wouldn't be able to go to college without it and our country is better for our children being able to get a college degree. However there are some that try to take advantage of the situation. But we don't get rid of financial aid to stop the few problems. We try to weed out the problems.
Again, the problem isn't section 8 or financial aid - it is the abuse of it.
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:32 am
by kate parker
i do not believe section 8 should be sacked. i just believe it needs to be reigned in.
that was my quote.
the problem isn't section 8 or financial aid - it is the abuse of it.
that was yours.
so essentially we agree.
i feel good about that
