Someone is saying that I’ve posted this because I’m anti-section 8. I want to say that is certainly not the case. From my limited exposure, it seems to work ok and is probably tons better than public housing as a solution to folks needing a place to live.
I think it should probably read “Landlords leaving residents in Limbo”. In this particular case – their were some facts that were left out. 1. Did Jefferson Townhouse only give their residents a 30 day notice to vacate? Informing your section 8 agent that you have to move within 30 days is unrealistic – to get all the things in order for your move. You surely cannot tell your landlord that you will be moving in 30 days — don’t most landlords require a min of a 60 day notice? So, I think in this case – the tenant should have found another place to live – immediately when she got the notice to vacate – then immediately contacted her section 8 agent to schedule that inspection. So this looks more like a tenant and a landlord problem – rather than a section 8 problem.
Being pro or anti section 8 is kind of like being pro or anti American: in other words it is not a love or or leave it proposition. There are elements of the program which are good, and some that are just plain dreadful (including the simple fact that it does not promote the building of affordable units and in many cases it merely reconcentrates poverty). So, if you have a spare afternoon and want to bone up on your federal housing policy, this article is pretty good (as are the commentaries). Happy reading…
What an absolutely BIZARRE take on CHPN’s providing a reference and link to a Times Dispatch story dealing with a Church Hill area issue… Keeping me current on what’s happening in Church Hill is why I visit this site.
Jefferson Townhomes clearly gave them more than a week to vacate. The story clearly states that one resident has had an apartment lined up for 2 months. So Jefferson Townhomes has given them at least that much notice. They have been waiting this long for Section 8 inspectors before they can move into their new places.
section 8 is a hud program and RRHA acts sort of like hud’s agent for the program administration in the city
if i remember right
the townhouses were built back in the nixon (tricky dick) years. a local black businessman, clarence townes signed on to the republican effort and was rewarded by nixon with section 8 designation.
it may be that section 8 is no longer required (sometimes if it site specific it has to remain in place 30 years)
townes sold his interest.
i have not checked to find the new owner. i do know some long term residents.
i expect the new owner is a slumlord. they are kicking out section 8 residents. may come back with new paint, carpet and appliances and jack up the rent and the thing is going to be a cash cow
the section 8 reqd some kind of maintenance but once section 8 is gone to will be minimal only controlled by building code property maintenance and the owners intentions.
it might be all gone within 10 to 15 years to make way for new development echo harbor style
This is to all the comment makers regarding Section 8 and Jefferson Townhomes. Without knowing all the facts, NO ONE is equipped to make comments like “I think in this case – the tenant should have found another place to live”. I live in Jefferson Townhomes. While I am not on section 8, I, like the secion 8 residents received 4 notices announcing the renovations. These notices came only after rumors surfaced from outside of the apartment complex. The first notice stated that a meeting would be scheduled with the tenants to discuss the renovation and left the office number for further info. Calling that number turned to be a dead end as the manager at the time (she has since quit) was not willing to discuss anything about the renovations. She stated that she “didn’t know anything and didn’t care either”. So, now the residents are receiving letters stating that some residents will be allowed to stay while others will have to leave. But, again, no one in the rental office nor with Genesis is willing to inform the tenants. So, YES, the title of the article is correct with one exception: Section 8 AND market rent paying tenants are left in limbo. The lesson here is: get all the facts before you either publish a rebuttal or if you decide to complain to a local newspaper!!!
Someone is saying that I’ve posted this because I’m anti-section 8. I want to say that is certainly not the case. From my limited exposure, it seems to work ok and is probably tons better than public housing as a solution to folks needing a place to live.
I think it should probably read “Landlords leaving residents in Limbo”. In this particular case – their were some facts that were left out. 1. Did Jefferson Townhouse only give their residents a 30 day notice to vacate? Informing your section 8 agent that you have to move within 30 days is unrealistic – to get all the things in order for your move. You surely cannot tell your landlord that you will be moving in 30 days — don’t most landlords require a min of a 60 day notice? So, I think in this case – the tenant should have found another place to live – immediately when she got the notice to vacate – then immediately contacted her section 8 agent to schedule that inspection. So this looks more like a tenant and a landlord problem – rather than a section 8 problem.
Here is a link for those who want to learn more about section 8, our nation’s largest program for housing the poor.
Being pro or anti section 8 is kind of like being pro or anti American: in other words it is not a love or or leave it proposition. There are elements of the program which are good, and some that are just plain dreadful (including the simple fact that it does not promote the building of affordable units and in many cases it merely reconcentrates poverty). So, if you have a spare afternoon and want to bone up on your federal housing policy, this article is pretty good (as are the commentaries). Happy reading…
What an absolutely BIZARRE take on CHPN’s providing a reference and link to a Times Dispatch story dealing with a Church Hill area issue… Keeping me current on what’s happening in Church Hill is why I visit this site.
Jefferson Townhomes clearly gave them more than a week to vacate. The story clearly states that one resident has had an apartment lined up for 2 months. So Jefferson Townhomes has given them at least that much notice. They have been waiting this long for Section 8 inspectors before they can move into their new places.
story line might read RRHA LEAVES RESIDENTS IN LIMBO. but that would not be any kind of news, just business as usual.
Is Section 8 == RRHA? The landlord there is Genesis Properties.
section 8 is a hud program and RRHA acts sort of like hud’s agent for the program administration in the city
if i remember right
the townhouses were built back in the nixon (tricky dick) years. a local black businessman, clarence townes signed on to the republican effort and was rewarded by nixon with section 8 designation.
it may be that section 8 is no longer required (sometimes if it site specific it has to remain in place 30 years)
townes sold his interest.
i have not checked to find the new owner. i do know some long term residents.
i expect the new owner is a slumlord. they are kicking out section 8 residents. may come back with new paint, carpet and appliances and jack up the rent and the thing is going to be a cash cow
the section 8 reqd some kind of maintenance but once section 8 is gone to will be minimal only controlled by building code property maintenance and the owners intentions.
it might be all gone within 10 to 15 years to make way for new development echo harbor style
You are both right the apartments are owned by Genesis and they are slumlords. They have houses all over the hill.
This is to all the comment makers regarding Section 8 and Jefferson Townhomes. Without knowing all the facts, NO ONE is equipped to make comments like “I think in this case – the tenant should have found another place to live”. I live in Jefferson Townhomes. While I am not on section 8, I, like the secion 8 residents received 4 notices announcing the renovations. These notices came only after rumors surfaced from outside of the apartment complex. The first notice stated that a meeting would be scheduled with the tenants to discuss the renovation and left the office number for further info. Calling that number turned to be a dead end as the manager at the time (she has since quit) was not willing to discuss anything about the renovations. She stated that she “didn’t know anything and didn’t care either”. So, now the residents are receiving letters stating that some residents will be allowed to stay while others will have to leave. But, again, no one in the rental office nor with Genesis is willing to inform the tenants. So, YES, the title of the article is correct with one exception: Section 8 AND market rent paying tenants are left in limbo. The lesson here is: get all the facts before you either publish a rebuttal or if you decide to complain to a local newspaper!!!