A Public Plea From P. Mahogany ~ New Orleans

 

Update 6/3/2006 - St. Bernard Parish New Orleans....Public Housing Voices lift upward...

Ms. Mahoganys editorial pleads the case for the 'need' of Public Housing to be restored, in New Orleans....Link to The Times Picayune....

Common Affordable Rental Housing Programs....

Public Housing

• Very affordable rents based upon income (30% of household income with 1 full time worker making $5.15 hourly, might pay $260 monthly)
• Variety of styles (apartments, single family, townhome) and amenities
• Local housing authority is access point for a bigger number of units
• Most units cost 30% of gross adjusted family income
• Possibly choices limited
• Some units older
• Waiting lists can be long or closed

Section 8 Housing

• Very affordable rents
• Variety of housing styles
• Many different landlords and property managers participate
• Some units have a low fixed rent amount
• Most units cost 30% of household adjusted gross income
• Each owner maintains a separate waiting list
• Travel and calling from the waiting list to find how to apply and whose open
• Waiting lists can be closed or long

Section 8 Voucher Housing

• Very affordable rents based on income
• Choose the place you want to live and possibly current property owner may accept voucher
• Sometimes subsidy can be retained
• A passed inspection before subsidy payments can start
• 30% to 40% of gross adjusted income
• Apply to an agency to get a voucher
• Waiting list can be long or closed
• Still have to apply to property to rent
• Credit and history check
• Some properties reject vouchers
• The agency will identify an eligible rent amount