Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Simple Question
How much taxpayer subsidized Section 8 Housing in North Adams is "enough?"
¶ 7:09 AM 
Comments:
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Greg,
I think a better question is how many decent Section 8 apartments do we need.
My only hope is that these apartments can put people in quality housing (instead of slum houses), and help push the slum lords out.
I know that is just pushing problems around (or moving them), but dilapidated housing is ALSO a problem in this community that needs to be addressed.
I also believe (maybe naively) that a home that one can be proud of is a big help in moving up (and off assistance).
My biggest problem with Section 8 is that it seems to help artificially inflate rental prices.
The fed guidline for section 8 rents in North Adams are as follows (this is the most an apartment can cost, with certain restrictions)
bedrooms|price
0 $614
1 $689
2 $795
3 $1088
4 $1119
If you look at the prices that they set for the apartments, they basically just set them at the upper fed limits.
Those are pretty steep rents for a town like this. Sheesh, I pay $600 for my mortgage (incl taxes) on my 2200sq/ft, 4bdr home. yet the feds say that $614 only can get you a studio apartment. Which, at this point is correct, because every landlord is simply going to follow their guidelines to get as much as they can.
I think a better question is how many decent Section 8 apartments do we need.
My only hope is that these apartments can put people in quality housing (instead of slum houses), and help push the slum lords out.
I know that is just pushing problems around (or moving them), but dilapidated housing is ALSO a problem in this community that needs to be addressed.
I also believe (maybe naively) that a home that one can be proud of is a big help in moving up (and off assistance).
My biggest problem with Section 8 is that it seems to help artificially inflate rental prices.
The fed guidline for section 8 rents in North Adams are as follows (this is the most an apartment can cost, with certain restrictions)
bedrooms|price
0 $614
1 $689
2 $795
3 $1088
4 $1119
If you look at the prices that they set for the apartments, they basically just set them at the upper fed limits.
Those are pretty steep rents for a town like this. Sheesh, I pay $600 for my mortgage (incl taxes) on my 2200sq/ft, 4bdr home. yet the feds say that $614 only can get you a studio apartment. Which, at this point is correct, because every landlord is simply going to follow their guidelines to get as much as they can.
Brian -
I agree with your point about the artificially inflated rents, but North Adams has no shortage of low income housing. Building more, regardless of initial quality, will only lower demand for borderline properties and send them deeper into disrepair.
That is one of the main reason I want the city to actively incentivize owner occupied housing. There is nothing that stabilizes a block like a handful of homeowners who give a damn about their property values, the safety of their families and the simple aesthetics of their neighborhood.
I agree with your point about the artificially inflated rents, but North Adams has no shortage of low income housing. Building more, regardless of initial quality, will only lower demand for borderline properties and send them deeper into disrepair.
That is one of the main reason I want the city to actively incentivize owner occupied housing. There is nothing that stabilizes a block like a handful of homeowners who give a damn about their property values, the safety of their families and the simple aesthetics of their neighborhood.
I'm with ya, Greg.
Owning your own home can change a lot... if we can give millions in grants to make Clark Biscut happen... why not lots of $200k loans to put people in THEIR OWN home?
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Owning your own home can change a lot... if we can give millions in grants to make Clark Biscut happen... why not lots of $200k loans to put people in THEIR OWN home?
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