Homelessness

One of many parts of a solution for the increase of homelessness in the United States could be a huge expansion in funding of Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937. That Act and subsequent amendments authorized payment of rental housing assistance to private landlords on behalf of approximately 4.8 million low-income households. In particular, the Housing Choice Voucher program pays a large portion of the rents and utilities of about 2.1 million households. In the 1970s, studies showed that a serious problem for low-income people was the high percentage of income spent on housing. So Congress passed the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, that amended the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 to allow the Section 8 Program to have tenants pay about 30 percent of their income for rent, while the rest of the rent is paid with federal money. Presumably part of a low-income person's income can be Social Security distributions. The Section 8 program initially had three subprograms: New Construction, Substantial Rehabilitation, and Existing Housing Certificate programs. The Moderate Rehabilitation Program was added in 1978, the Voucher Program in 1983, and the Project-based Certificate program in 1991.

Message from Uncle Al to Democratic Presidential, Congressional, and Senate candidates

Consider adding the following to your platform:

Dramatically expand the Section 8 housing program and encourage landlords to participate. This would help alleviate homelessness rooted in high rents. Also, establish a federal rental unit insurance program that subsidizes or outright pays for fire insurance for landlords willing to participate in the Section 8 housing program.