Bill Kahn wrote: I've often thought that instead of the status quo hodgepodge of federal, state, and local housing policies resulting in the inadequate system we have now, e.g., Barb Lickness's Section 8 neighbor who hosts gang bangers and druggies, what we really need is a mix of housing types metrowide that actually lifts a culture of poverty into the mainstream, for better or worse.
[Me]: I agree Bill Kahn's general point to suggest the need for a mix of housing types. But just want to cut to the quick on some unfortunate stereotypes that he suggests. The overwhelming experience with Section 8 (now called the Housing Choice Voucher Program) is positive. Section 8 is not synonymous with 'gang bangers and druggies,' nor should Barb's experience be seen as an example of the 'inadequacy' of the federal Section 8 housing system. A misperception, yes, but it's a misperception just as damaging and demeaning as assuming that most people in Minnesota who receive welfare are black (they're not). Bill Kahn again: Section 8 housing in certain parts of our cities is not a great deal better as Lickness's experience attests. [Me]: The Minneapolis Public Housing Agency (MPHA) administers some 5,000 or so Section 8 Vouchers city-wide (though it may be 6,000 or so, my brain and the MPHA site are both fritzing at the moment). The vast majority of the tenants who benefit from the vouchers are lease and law-abiding, just as the vast majority of tenants generally are lease and law-abiding. There are always bad eggs, just as there are bad eggs in every situation, organization, municipality, and neighborhood. All this said (and said as more of a check on misperceptions than as a suggested direction of the discussion), I'm a fan of co-housing myself and would like to see more opportunities for it in the city. Gregory Luce St. Paul REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
