Thanks to nationwide funding announced yesterday by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2,500 families may be saved from the possible Section 8 voucher cut. The vouchers allows poor residents to pay 30% of their income towards rent while the government pays for the rest. HUD Secretary Shaun Donavan told NY1, "A Section 8 voucher has never been more important that it is today in this economic crisis, and so this is a real lifeline for families at this time." HUD has $150 million in funds for housing authorities across the country, with $24 million set aside for New York City.
It's not just the nation's poor that needs the funding. Aisha Farrakhan of Brooklyn was forced into a shelter after an illegal foreclosure on her house. Her oldest son has scoliosis and the other has Roberts syndrome, meaning a lot of her money goes to medical costs. "I can't get him the surgery that he needs, because the doctor is saying because he's [in a shelter] he can't get it, because he could be moved at anytime," she said. Section 8 vouchers would help her get permanent housing so her son could get surgery.
Rep. Charles Rangel praised the program, telling New York RealEstateRama, "I am proud to be part of a Democratic and a Presidential Administration that understands how important it is to assure access to affordable housing." However, the NYCHA still has a $45 million budget gap to fill, and cutting vouchers would be one way to help close the gap. “While this infusion helps in the short term, we have to find ways to financially stabilize these programs in the long-term,” said Rangel. “I’ve always said that it’s hard to keep a job, do well in school or even stay healthy if you are constantly worried about how you are going to keep a roof over your head.”
