With Respect, I disagree… - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on June 09, 2011 at 09:36:26:
Dale you are making the false assumption that people not on Section 8 are productive, responsible people of character.
I have worked with the section 8 program for many years and have found that these tenants take far better care of my properties, do much less (if any) damage and most pay some portion of the rent.
On the other hand, the people not part of this program often destroyed my properties, failed to pay rent, committed crimes etc.
Like you there are many, many things I disagree with in our government (not matter who is in the white house) and I don’t trust what they tell me but rather prefer to see with my own eyes what they are doing. Action speaks louder than words.
As I police officer I worked a great deal (years) in public housing areas. High crime, drugs and nothing ever changed. The government cannot operate housing effectively.
On the other hand the section 8 program puts that responsibility in private hands and for me it has proven very, very effective.
As my costs decline (fewer damage repairs), few and slow turnover (with actual 30 day notice- something the government tenants would rarely do), reliable rent receipt etc. I am able to remain in business and take care of properties that also provide housing for non-section 8 tenants.
Sure this program may receive budget cuts and with that I will have to adapt. If someone is on section 8 does it make them a bad person or slacker? No. I have met more bad people and slackers in the general public by far.
I have several older women who have significant health issues. One is attached to the house by a long air cord so that she slowly move from room to room. Another was displaced by a hurricane that destroyed her home. Each of these two have been with me for over 5 years, have done little to no damage to the homes and pay a small portion of the rent from their social security (sorry not job income from these two).
I have had folks that were on section 8 who had no use of their legs and limited use of their curled up, weakened hands. One of these did turn out to be a bad able so on that I grant you their are some who slip through the cracks. Years later however I got a call from her and she paid me back rent she owed me and that has never happened from any traditional tenant.
I could go on and on but my point is that by working with the system I am able to pay taxes that support local, state and federal government programs. I have a great number of federal and state programs that I cannot believe we are funding, especially under the T.A.R.P. but housing for these folks is not one of them.
It is all too easy to point fingers at a general population but I have found that when I look deeper I find good and bad in each, including the government entitlement programs.
Those who can, should work. “A man who doesn’t work shouldn’t eat” is written but not at the expense of caring for those who have a true need.
If you find a tenant on the program you don’t feel truly needs the program then you are free to screen that tenant out of consideration for your property.
I don’t expect you to reverse your thoughts but while you and I agree on many things, I strongly disagree with you on this one.
Is it self serving for me to take this position? Perhaps, but again it allows me to contribute to the same taxes you pay which provides not just for this program but (nearly) countless others.
Tony