Oregon bill would end Section 8 discrimination, By Brad Schmidt, February 5, 2013, The Oregonian: “Discriminating against poor Oregonians because they receive federal Section 8 rent assistance would be forbidden under legislation proposed by new House Speaker Tina Kotek. Housing advocates hope Kotek’s bill gives Section 8 voucher-holders options outside the high-poverty neighborhoods many call home. And they’re optimistic that Kotek’s new influence and collaboration with landlords will overcome the real estate interests that defeated previous proposals. Kotek’s bill would not force landlords to accept voucher-holders. But it would prohibit them from having blanket ‘No Section 8’ policies or from turning away renters only because they have a voucher…”
Tag: Section 8
Financial Literacy Program – Massachusetts
Program teaches working poor ways to save, build credit, By Laura Finaldi, November 29, 2012, Boston Globe: “Meg Alcantara, a single mother of three, was working two jobs, but never getting ahead. She had no savings, lots of overdue bills, and hardly any hope getting a credit card, let alone ever owning a home. Two years later, Alcantara, 49, of Lynn, is working just one job and earning 63 percent more after recently gaining a promotion to office manager at a physical therapy practice. Her credit score has jumped nearly 100 points and she has put away about $5,200 toward a down payment and her dream of owning a home. Alcantara’s journey to financial stability was aided by a partnership of the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development and a Boston nonprofit that combined an overlooked federal housing program with the financial literacy initiatives of the nonprofit, Compass Working Capital. Known as the Compass Financial Stability and Savings Program, the joint venture provides the tools for subsidy receivers like Alcantara to earn more, save more, build assets, and better their lives…”
Federal Housing Vouchers in Suburban Areas
More low-income residents with housing vouchers are moving to the suburbs, study finds, By Ted Roelofs, October 18, 2011, Grand Rapids Press: “The stereotype of public housing as an inner city landmark is belied in communities across West Michigan, where Grand Rapids ranks No. 9 in the nation’s metropolitan areas for growth in suburban housing vouchers. Equal-access housing advocates maintain the trend is better for both city and suburb alike, affording low-income residents economic opportunity while broadening diversity within the metropolitan area…”