[SoftballMominVA]

6 years ago in VA, my family lived in a nice, normal, middle-class townhouse development. We had block parties, outings for the kids, cookouts, etc. All the hallmarks of middle-class America. Directly across the street from me, a family moved out and sold the townhouse to someone who then rented it out as a Section 8 housing. The change in the neighborhood was breathtaking. Cars coming and going all hours of the night and day, tearing up the street, WHILE CHILDREN WERE PLAYING! Gunfire at night, loud music coming from cars and the house, windows busted out of the front of the house, unbelievable damage both inside and out. That house was the reason my husband and I moved. I just didn't want to feel like I lived in an inner-city ghetto. The police became a constant presence. And yes, this was caused by ONE house and ONE renter.

Maybe this was an isolated incident, but when I perceive that my kids are in danger, I don't care about the 'odds.' I only want safety.

[bk1000]

"this was caused by ONE house and ONE renter."

Could have been ended by ONE neighbor with ONE match ;)

[Collier]

I have a Section 8 tenant next door to me. Mother, father & 2 kids. It's a small bungalow....3 small bedrooms.

So far they've been fine, but the kids are little.

My gripe is that the owner of the house, who moved 200 miles away, gets $1800 a month. I don't know what the tenants pay of that amount. I'm guessing around $400.

But my point is, that $1800 is not the going rate. If he rented it to someone other than section 8, he would get about $1300 to $1500 a month.

So naturally he chose section 8, plus the check from the govt. goes directly to him. Guaranteed rental income.

The fact that the govt. pays way above the going rate is a disgrace. In addition, people that can afford to pay the going rate are not getting these places.