http://hotpads/comments/viewThread/?format=html&id=3552HotPads CommentsjRSSGenerator by Henrique A. Viecilihttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssI have 8 children,and I am on section 8.I am clean,and responsible,and my husband is employed.People on section 8 are judged!!!!!Not everybody is the same.Some people ruin it for others.Give someone a chance.3552I guess you answered your own question. Most people working to make it on their own (not taking other people's tax money for rent support) don't have 8 kids. Most of us struggle to raise one, two or three. I really kinda resent having to pay for people like you.5272This goes to show one's ignorance. No one is exempt from being in less fortunate situations...not even you! Although, there are some who may abuse these programs that are not just designed for those who are striving below poverty level. There are programs out there that have helped those who get up, go to work everyday, pay taxes but, economic situations may have put them in positions I am sure they are not to keen on asking for the help. Sometimes it's choices made in order to survive. You shouldn't judge or make comments not really knowing a persons situation. That is so stereotypical and just down right unethical of you to say...You will probably even respond back to this in an unethical way because you are an individual full of hate, anger, and just down right full of yourself! I'm sure you feel so much better about yourself that you have made such a self-righteous comment!!!6463Huh? She explained the situation.... she has 8 kids! That's the situation right there. What choice was made for survival that involved bringing 8 children that you cannot provide for into the world? What situation should he have known about so that he could make a less ignorant comment? It's very nice of you to jump to someone's defense but sometimes you make yourself look silly by trying to be a hero. Or are you on Section 8 with 8 children too?10386Wow, Mrs. T G. It's very nice of you to jump to someone's defense but sometimes you make yourself look silly by trying to be a hero. I'll bet you voted for the idiot George W. Bush twice. I'm saying that you've made mistakes and you are not perfect. You don't know her situation and why she has eight kids. At least she loves her children. It does not sound like you could hack it if you had eight children. The capacity for love doesn't sound like that a characteristic in you.11680I did not like your comment at all. I'm working mom with 5 children, I also attend college too and have section 8 I pay taxes just like you and I do not live in hood all landlords are not good people but my landlord renting to me. Because i'am working citizen. Section 8 is not just for renting you can purchase a home with section 8. So for that everyone that have section 8 don't just sit at home collect assisting. You have start from somewhere to grow and to hsve what you want in life. You never no you might need some help. Don't speak about other people situation that not okay to sterotype.5394You want help from other people, yet are irresponsible enough to have too many kids that you cannot afford with your own finances, and you complain about being stereotyped? It is thinking like that which will keep you poor.5453Paying cigarette tax on you NEWPORTS does not make you a TAXPAYER11092do you know how ignorant u sound? not every person is on sec 8 because their nasty or lazy. So ppl can't get ahead. especially when one person is doing it all and the other half is dead...people who get sec 8 pay taxes too ya know..karma is a #@!&$ or ppl who are nasty to others.8144Sorry but I do not have this section 8 but to Rory Norman you are a heartless person for what you said some people are hard working people in still need some help like for my family both of our jobs shut there doors so now we are trying to get back on our feet we went from buying any thing we want do anything we want to now we don't know if we can even pay off our bills in dec25 we had no gas to cook a family dinner so we did not have family there in it is just my Dad in two brothers in I could not do any thing for them in i have four kids only 3 gifts each in cheap ones out of 11 years of beeing a mother never had any trouble doing for my kids in I do have a job but $9.00 33 hours a week does not help much in I have had my new job for four months now in still can't get back on my feet we got so far past due in I never asked for a darn thing but to get this Section 8 thing would help so much but I will not get it because others needs it more then me but I hope you are in a bad spot in your life like me in then lets hear you down some one like that I wish you bad luck...........6569Sounds like you have a real anti American attitude, or you're just a mean ignorant human. There are many people in this country that have worked their entire lives, paid taxes, & served this country, Military etc... who now have disabilities from their service, that can't work for one reason or another. Thank God & the VA that section 8 is "sometimes" available to assist. Now ask yourself, what if all these people never served you, your country? Would you have the freedoms you enjoy today? The ability to HAVE a job? However since they did, why not Thank them instead of humiliating them you putz!!!!! NOT EVERY ONE ON SECTION 8 IS TAKING FROM YOUR POCKET!!!!!!9012Did you ever think that maybe she and her husband had the kids before needing section 8? Also she's stated her husband works so it's not like their sitting on their #@!'$ letting everyone else support them fully they like thousands of others need help in this horrible economy. I really hope that one day you need some real help and there is NO one to help you.11157HOLD UP DIDNT U HEAR HER SAY HER HUSBAND WORKS AND SHE MIGHT HAVE WORKED ONE TIME OR ANOTHER SO WHY CANT HER PAYING TAXES IN WORK TO HER BENIFIT THE NERVE OF SOME PPL TIMES ARE HARD I WISH I COULD GET SECTION 8 I AM ON WELFARE AND HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE I WAS 13 SO NOW U TELL ME IM TAKIN OTHER PPLS MONEY GET A GRIP SERIOUSLY7367Rory Norman, you are a very rude individual who obviously enjoys talking to others in a vulgarly way. If people are on section 8 it doesn't mean that they are dirty or unresponsible; it means that they need help getting on their feet momentarily. I am a single mother of 5 who was once on section 8. Now i have a house, condo and two cars. All my children graduated and are in college. And i can assure i am making more money than you make currently. Be carefull who you insult.14065People like us we work! Most of us are educated and just get bad breaks I have one child and pay my bills on time. I do not receive public assistance so why don't I deserve to live in a decent neighborhood. I've been working since I was in high school. If nobody wants to take a chance with those who don't have experience in current jobs that pay decent money, left with no choice but to get help from the system. And for the record my taxes dollars are helping me with section 8. (So you have a lovely day.)21183People on section 8 are judged. I am a licensed massage therapist but with the economy, business isn't booming. I work for a clothing store and I also babysit for money on the side and donate plasma when I have to. Screw you judgmental assholes who feel your paying for anything. I bust my ass to take care of my little one and I still need rental assistance. Also screw the dirty, low class section 8 recipients that ruin it for those of us who actually appreciate the help we receive and value the homes we live in.9021It's not judging when it's fact. If you receive assistance, tax payers are paying for you.... You may feel like you deserve it because you work but we all work and don't depend on others to care for us or pay our bills.10389Not all people on section 8 are horrific characters, but some of those that I know personally, don't deserve to have it....(trouble makers,alcoholics, addicts) That is an understatement. If you are young, you don't have disabilities, there is no reason why you can't work hard, and not take tax dollars from my family and other families having to be away from their children, wives, and husbands, to make a living. We have needed the help before, and were declined as fast as we applied. You have to be "Dead broke and not even trying", it seems, to get help. I have seen way too many with section 8 (MEN ESPECIALLY) walking around doing nothing but staying stuck in addictions and foolishness, when they should be holding a job and working to get off of government assistance. As for women, why keep having children if you can't afford them on your own? If you need help, temporarily, that is one thing.....but it is your lifestyle when you keep having babies knowing that without the government, you can't take care of them.19082I've read the comments to this thread and I have to say the grammar, punctuation and spelling (or lack of it) shows clearly the level of ignorance of the replies. I have been in the Real Estate biz for over 20 years and at least 90% of the Section 8 recipients are dirty, bring bugs, have illegal occupants not on the voucher (AKA - Boyfriends)can barely pay their small portion & create damages worth more than 5 Non-S8 tenants. There are the few choice S8 people who care well for their homes and I am sorry the vast majority is making it hard for you but I really think the programs promote dependency which spills over into the rest of their lives. The "entitlement" attitude that you are somehow owed this assistance disgusts me. If you are not physically or mentally handicapped & you are receiving assistance, you should be ashamed of yourself. And sorry, pregnancy & childbirth are not disabilities. Wait tables, clean bathrooms, flip burgers... do all of them but do what you have to do. Get off your butt and take care of yourself. Sorry to say, tax dollars that even you may earn are applied to these assistance programs that could be used to improve our current economic situation as a country. Yes, we all fall on hard times as have I. I however, worked 2 jobs & went to school full time and did not need or expect anyone to care for me or my children. My house and children were always clean and I NEVER had bugs regardless to the neighborhood I lived in. Sure, it was hard but it was MY LIFE & MY RESPONSIBILITY. Stop feeling sorry for yourselves and thinking this world owes you something, use a condom, read a book, pay attention to your children and encourage a better life for them before they follow in your footsteps. Apply for Student Aid and learn a skill so you can pay your own way. That would be cheaper on the government than paying for your rent, medical and food for you and all your offspring for the next 20 - 30 years!10383You are more ignorant than you know. Stop judging people and read the words in these comments. The first lady said that she is in school full time and she has a husband who works. The second lady said that she is a massage therapist and works hard to take care of her kids. Just because you are mad about something in your life doesn't give you the right to be mean to others. Even if there was no such thing as section 8 the government would find so other way to spend the money. Not only that but the money that the government spends on section 8 goes to the homeowner. Everyone pays taxes in this country, not just you. So get over yourself.11675WELL SAID Mrs. T G!!!19364I agree, and one point you made which I never heard before is you consider someone who is disabled. My son is severley disabled, with 3 lifelong disabilities, I take him to out of town appts all the time, he also has autism, has had heart surgery, and I am disabled as well, I have mental disabilities. I have made efforts to better myself and I do get help from my therapist, they said just the whole level of stressors and everything they aren't advising I work, they agree that I need to be here for my son and its unpredictable when something will happen to him and its so many demands, I do have 2 other children, they all have the same father, he is deceased. I do get section 8, my place is very clean. Every place I have lived in even the meanest landlords have returned my full deposit, and I have rented from the same landlords and use them as even emergency contacts for my kids. When inspection comes they tell me how other peoples houses look and mine has never failed, last inspection I was told mine was the first house the inspector passed all week and it was a Friday. My portion is almost the full amount of the rent, rent is 1600 and I pay 1446, not everyone has a tiny amount to pay, it depends on income but we are greatful, the 154.00 helps! On the other hand I think it is really ignorant for you to say we are uneducated and critisize about punctuation, etc. Then after that you used the word (biz) the correct spelling is business. My punctuation isn't correct but I do know how to write correctly, this is not necessary, your punctuation is off as well. We don't feel we are owed anything but we are greatful, VERY!!! As ignorant as you are you will try to have the last say in this and try to act very intelligent and find fault in what I say and put me down, and yes I am judging I feel your type. And before I end this I am educated. I have over 90 college units and took 22+ units a semester and maintained a 4.0 the entire time. I didn't give up, I had kids and got an education. Semester ended 2 weeks before my son was born. His heart surgery as a newborn and following numerous health problems, and disabilities he has left me no choice but to be there for him, followed by their fathers death. So don't ASSUME you got us all figured out!19470I am on section 8. Apologies to the people who feel they are "paying for me" but your not. I pay more then half of my rent, in not on government assistance, and I work and go to school FULL TIME. So thanks so much for "paying" $163 of my rent. I really appreciate it. And I have one child..not 2,3,8,or 10. Just one.7451um she said she works so isn't she paying taxes too? She's struggling so she qualifies. That's why these programs exist. Some of you guys might qualify. sometimes im so disheartened by the way we Americans think. The crazy part is the poster clearly isn't just sitting on her behind and yet she's being attacked for using programs that she is indeed qualified to receive to get ahead in her life. she just said she works, and is in school full time. i mean... come on guys really? the nerve11079I agree with you social chronic... people really need to get their nose out the air...people and the nerve. The ignorance of people talking all that *ish . I was on S8 at one point and the idiot saying that he paid my utilities, no boo, I paid them,not 30% but 100%, If I didn't they were shut off. And then talking *ish about her getting grants for her education. #@!&!!! So that means if these ignorant fools had it their way, all gov't assistance wld cease and then what... your tax dollars would go somewhere else, but then we would have more homeless, malnourished, uneducated people and then those people bring more children in the world to be homeless, malnourished and uneducated.... yea sounds like a great trade off... tax money leaving my pocket and me knowing its helping other people, or tax money leaving my pocket and the richer getting richer, while people starve. And you know what starving,homeless, uneducated people do, they commit crimes, steal, rob, kill, rape...but yea let's not be kind and caring people, lets all be self-fish and say for forget those less fortunate, sounds like that will make this world a better place to live18145That money, the "$163.00" is still coming from taxpayers. Even if it is only $1, we working Americans are still supplementing your income, and in this case helping you pay for a roof over your head.9536You are on government assistance if the government is paying $163 of your rent and yes, all tax payers are contributing to your monthly payments of $163 that add up to thousands and thousands depending on the number of years you receive the assistance.10387We are paying your rent if you only payi $163 and you are on SEction 8. We are also paying for your utilites as the payments is based on 30% of your income to go to rent and utilities. Do you have grants for your education? If so, we are also paying for your education.7580YOU KNOW I HAVE LIVE IN WESTERVILLE OH FOR OVER 20YR'S AND GOT SEC 8 FOR 8 YR'S NOW.. I WORK HARD AT 1 TIME. AND NOW THE MONEY I PUTT IN . IT'S HELPING ME NOW I CAN'T WORK CAUSE I HAVE M.S. FOR THE LAST 11 YR'S AND GETTING TO WERE I CAN NOT REALY DO ANY THING LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO WALK FOR A LITTLE NOT FAR. BUT I AM A GOOD PERSON AND ALL PEPOLE ON SEC 8 ARE NOT BAD PEPOLE AND NOT A DRUNK OR DRUGY.. THXS TO ALL WHO UNDER STAND AND GODBLESS ALL. THXS DEBBIE H8737BECAUSE SOMETIMES RENTERS ASSOCIATE SECTION 8 WITH TRIFLE PEOPLE EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE CLEAN DESCENT PEOPLE ON SECTION 8 THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF THE PROPERTY AS IF THEY ACTUALLY OWN IT3871Honestly it is because people are just lazy when it comes to taking care of the home like they own it; example: if a light blow out instead of replacing it they call the landlord if they don'y fix it they call the section 8 worker and if it is not fixed after so many days the payments stop. I have section 8 not cause i am lazy or anything like that but I have 3 children and am rasing my sister 3 kids. I have worked sine I was 14 years old and i felt the same way until a owner told me why. My last house I was in before moving to Columbus, OH never took section 8 and she did once I meet her in person. I took care of her house like I paid the mortgage. Section 8 say thet is the landlord job but for real they work and have families to so I feel like just put it towards my rent or reimburse me. So don't give up3923Reimburse you or put it towards your rent? See, that is not you treating it like you own it because if you owned a home and changed a light bulb or unclogged the sink/toilet, you would not be able to call the bank and tell them to take that off the payment. Besides, why should the owner be responsible for your blown light bulb or clogged sink when it wouldn't be blown or clogged if you weren't using it. I rented for a long time and the only time I called my landlord was when it was something too serious for me to fix like the furnace, water heater or some electrical issue. I lived at 1 house for 6 years and the landlord only came to my house to fix something 2X. I changed faucets, bulbs, fixed tears in the floor, repaired a couple screen and then thoroughly cleaned & painted before I moved out because I knew how much it cost to get a home ready for a new tenant and I was the one who had damaged those items. My landlord actually cried when I moved!10388This is so true!! Some people make it so hard for others. This is the exact reason why I push myself everyday to strive for better. I'm two semesters away from my master's. My goal is to get off all government assistance b/c I am so limited and I deserve the best and so do you. I have a set of triplets and a 7 year old. The triplets were unexpected so I knew that I had to get help, but never did I put anyone down or make them feel bad about them having to. I kind of feel sorry for some of the people that commented on here negatively about your situation. It's sad, but one thing I do know is that God watches everything and who better to make you humble yourself than him. You reap what you sew, so maybe one day they will be put in a situation were they will need your advice......Take care and good luck!!!10920I like your comment. Good luck to you Ashley. You will make it. When I had my daughter I applied for section 8 and was not qualified for making too much money. Although I was still barely making it. I am married with three children and don't know where to start to get on section 8 housing. I, too, am in school. I am studying to become a teacher and I plan to go on to get my Ph.D in education. I know that I have to work a little harder just to get somewhere because of from where I come.11679That's funny Ashley!!! What is even funnier is whenever "welfare recipients" say they have more than 3 children, they ALWAYS say they had triplets... You just don't want to admit you have 4 children from 4 different fathers.11091EIGHT CHILDREN??? ARE YOU SERIOUS? You should make your own reality show... You can call it (GUBBAMENT KEEPS PAYIN'... SO I'LL KEEP MAKIN')9515I purchased a duplex where the lower portion was already rented section 8. After purchasing the unit, which was permitted for two occupants, to my horror this woman had her boyfriend and about 8 other people floating in and out. When she left, it took $10,000 in repairs to the unit. Yes, everyone has to start somewhere. But you should have started before having those 5 kids. Maybe that way you would not be on public assistance. You might be making on your own, without taking other people's hard earned money.5451First of all section 8 and public assistance are different programs and this person clearly states that her husband works so his tax dollars are going to the same programs your tax dollars are going to. Please have your facts straight before trying to insult someone6927I beg to differ Ma'am because "Public Assistance" is a generalized term for ALL Government or private assistance programs.... not just the separate names that they give them down at the specific assistance agencies. It means "assistance to the public" and falls under many different umbrellas.10384Once again, Rory, no one is taking your money. Read the words that these people write. You are just full of little judgements. There is nothing wrong with having children. I had my daughter while I was still in college. I still graduated with my bachelor's degree. I don't care what I had to go through I love my daughter and I would not give her up for you or any other stupid judgemental person. Both of my daughters are extremely smart. My oldest daughter made straight A's and my youngest daughter's kindergarten teacher said that she is reading a a first grade level. We are not on section 8 but let's us talk about the stupid lazy landlords who don't want to fix up homes. While they have ceilings falling all around them the landlord is taking the money and running with it. So stuff it Rory Norman!11676Give someone a chance with 8 children? If you were responsible for the costs to care for a property after 10 people had lived there for at least a year, you might understand. Any idea how much it costs to replace carpet in a 5 bedroom home? Close to $3000! That's 10 pairs of hands touching things, 10 pairs of feet walking in and out of the home, 10 showers daily, toilets flushing constantly, constant drain use, that's a lot of wear and tear on a property and can result in mountains of repairs for an owner. I feel for you and your situation but just imagine if you owned a home how much it would cost to maintain the property for your family of 10. That's a huge risk for an owner. Most tenants believe that rent payments should cover everything but it often has to cover mortgage, taxes, insurance & repairs. Don't forget that they get into the business to make a profit, your situation probably doesn't sound like a profitable proposition for any owner.10385Give someone a chance with 8 children or don't give someone with 8 children a chance and the government still pays for them. If someone doesn't give that family a chance they will be homeless and that is 8 more kids in foster care for which the government pays. It's okay to have children and love them enough to take care of them. There are landlords who will give families a chance. I will just bet that the lady with 8 children has more strategies for managing money, work, life, and children than you. --Because she has to--11677I am so disappointed in some of the responses to the first person with 8 kids. Yes, you should control how many children you have but here is the thing are we really here on this earth to judge or is that God's will? Unless you have been in this persons shoes you have no room to talk. And it does not matter how many children you have or do not have to be on assistance the fact is they need help maybe it is only for a little time and maybe it is a little longer. I, myself had to get on assistance I now have four kids and am #@!& proud of them and my kids have been raised with respect for themselves and others. I have not been on assistance in a very long time and I have lived in both worlds: without money with assistance and with money and no assistance. So please do not judge people. Yes, some take advantage of the help that has been given to them but look in your own house because it has to do with how your child has been raised. I thank my parents each and every day on how they have raised me although they are no longer on this earth their teachings have been handed down to my kids to try to help make this world a better place. Too many people want to point the finger at others without looking in their own back yard so to speak. Yes, there are people who work their butts off to get to what they have today and to only have SOME not ALL take advantage of that but instead of crying about it, why not take that person to the side and help them - help them to see that there is more out there for them than just to sit on assistance. Help them to see that they do not need to be controlled by the government and that they can fight back and make something out of themselves and for their families. So instead of being a hyprocrite (sorry, if misspelled but you get my point) and help others and stop ALL the judging. That is what God is supose to do not US. God Bless you ALL!!!13139I like your comment, your right the only person that can judge us is GOD!Also to the one comment when they say how they leave the house or how many people are there. Landlords know violations are being made and nothing is said so you condone it. Cause bthe rent is being paid. So in saying that what did you do as a landlord to do the right thing.13315I have seen this before from a Landlord's point of view and what little I saw there were a couple issues that arose for the landlord that they weren't happy having to deal with by accepting the Section 8 tenant: 1. The gov't would only pay what they felt the property was worth, which was typically below what the asking rental price was. Most landlords want to make a profit for a home they are renting or might have a high monthly mortgage and dont want to accept a lower amount for their property. It is also illegal for the tenant to pay any additional funds on top of the Section 8 funds, so that is not a solution to that problem. 2. When renting to the govt the landlord may have to do additional work to the home because the standards for the govt are different (and the cost for this would have to come out of the landlords pocket) Example: they might have to make their property handicap accessible, install hand rails in showers or tubs (which will also put additional holes in walls or tile) among other things before the house can be approved by the city to be qualified to accept Section 8 funding. 3. Although a deposit is made for the property when the tenant moves in to cover any damages upon their lease ending and they leave, it can still be very difficult if not impossible for the landlord to get any additional funds to cover the cost of damages that exceed the original deposit amount. It is much easier to sue someone not on Section 8 for additional damage cost than to sue the govt for that money or sue someone on Section 8 who doesn't have money to pay. These are legitimate concerns for a homeowner/landlord that have nothing to do with simply thinking that Section 8 recipients are trashy, low-lifes, lazy, irresponsible or anything else in between. I hope some of this helps!9396...Also not to mention that if a tenant loses their Section 8 funding while they are still in the middle of a lease and the tenant is not willing to immediately vacate the property if they can't afford it themselves, well now the landlord has to go through the courts to evict the tenant. Not only is that costly and time consuming but the landlord will lose money having to cover the mortgage while the tenant is still occupying the property. Regardless if the landlord later sues the tenant they will likely never recoop any of that money because the former tenant probably will never have the money to pay.9397After 15 yrs, I rec'd a Sec8 voucher (good for anywhere in continental US) - my only child was 8, now I'm a grandma - I've been sick since 1999, and after 3 attempts for SSDI, it was finally awarded, and I rec'd compensation backdated to my last day of full-time employment (Sept1,1999.) My voucher does allow for me to pay any additional funds on top of the Section 8 funds. My meds cost close to !200/mo - and, thankfully I applied for Medicare Plan D (prescription coverage. My SSDI is 1083/mo and my rent (for last 6 yrs that I've lived here) is $850/mo. Somehow I've survived w/ no $ and never applied for welfare although I rec'd food stamps. I've lived in San Diego my entire life - and now it's time to find a new 'castle' to call my home. Anywhere but here, is where I need to go...10899I have read these comments and all of the blame is put on the low life tenants as you say. I hate to tell you they are not. all Section 8 people are not bad. There could be many reasons why they are on it.Sickness,Hurricane, Divorce...Now what about these nasty landlords who do not clean there homes and exspect a deposit.I have to pay them to scrub the home then don't get deposit back. A tip for landlords decent kitchen & decent bathroom. Clean the house and you may get better tenants. You should be ashamed of yourselves. By they way those are my tax dollars also......13314Well here's one I am 67 and on section 8 so what does that make me, I'm on ss and raised 3 kids and was never on welfare, I payed taxes that why I get a social security check each month,but it's not a lot so I need a little help I'm clean and quite all my kids went to college and graduated, so all you that think s8 is bad and the people on it can KMA14893The reason Section 8 housing is in "bad" neighborhoods is because the landlord still has to make a profit and those areas are cheaper to own so they can offer them at a lower rent.5462The reason section 8 housing is in bad neighborhoods is because the tenants make it that way. Go to any apartment complex in the middle of July during the day or the evening and you'll see a world of difference between a complex that accepts section 8 and those that don't. Yes, it's true, that not everyone on section 8 is loud, ghetto, inconsiderate and hellbent on tearing #@!& up and letting their 9 kids run wild and terrorize the neighborhood, but the ones that aren't like that are the exception to the rule. I made the mistake of living in a complex once that accepted section 8 and I will never ever make that mistake again. There was two shootings in the year I lived there and kids outside playing and adults shouting at 11-12 at night on weeknights. Guess I was the only one that actually had to work to make her rent money. Now before checking out an apartment, my first question is if they accept section 8 and if they do, I go the next place on my list. And not to be mean, those of you defending section 8 talk about having 4-8 kids...quit popping out all these babies that you can't afford! You are keeping yourself poor. To the woman who has 8 kids but her husband works, you should have stopped at probably 2 kids because unless a miracle happens and he becomes like CEO of the company he works at, you'll probably remain on public assistance until your kids are all grown. And at the risk of being called racist or judgmental, all of you defending yourselves sound like you're working with a 7th grade education, I don't understand half of what you're trying to say...I just try to make an educated guess.7119No Kandice you are wrong. There is an apartment complex down the street from me in a tough neighborhood that is clean and quiet. I grew up in an apartment complex that accepts section 8 and it too is clean and quiet. Those people in those apartments could probably give you some tips on cleaning.11678It is really humorous to read all the good, bad, and ugly of "life on Section 8". Although it's really pathetic for anyone to judge another person due to the environment he/she may reside in, especially when you don't know the individual personnally.. Always remember what God has given, can be taken away in the blink of eye. Anyone can have a down-fall, anyone can have a dirty house with below standard upkeeping, if they're not willing to do what it takes to live in a decent environment, anyone can lose their jobs, and just because a woman 3 or more kids it doesn't necessitate that she's waiting on public assistance to raise her kids.. While we are all judging others let us not forget that someday, SOMEONE with the Almighty Authority will be judging us..17551I have read most of all the replies to this question and some are true and some are ridiculous. It seems to me that it is so much easier to blame everyone but yourself. You talk about showing responsibility, (for the homeowners) if you actually had your financial affairs in order then you wouldn't to charge more than what the property is really worth because you would have money in the bank aside from the rental property. You wouldn't be using the rental to pay all your bills. Learn to save your money and stop trying to live beyond your means. While you're judging...I'm just saying.18063I am offended from some of the responses to this question. I am a former Section 8 tenant. The last home I had was not in the "hood". I'm actually still residing in that same home, but am no longer on rental assistance. For the people who want to judge and be prejudice may God bless you, because your letting ignorance get the best of you. I have 3 children of my own and custody of another. I have worked since I was 14 years old, so have been paying taxes my whole life, and the reason I pay taxes is for the government to pay us Americans back. Yes, you will have dirty tenants and people living there not on the lease, but that can be someone paying full rent as well. Just because someone is making less, doesn't make them trash. And if you are a landlord, instead of hurrying and renting your property out why don't you actually check that person's reference and past rental history to see what kind of tenant they are, instead of rushing to put money in your pocket and then want to be mad when you rented your space out to someone who has trashed all their other places. Why have someone fill out an application, if your not going to follow up and make sure this is someone that you would want to rent to. I do research when looking for a place to stay, so maybe you should do homework on the people your renting to, but then your dumbass want to be mad when you have holes in your wall and roaches, when all you had to do was call the previous landlord... smh... people and all their prejudice really makes me sick. You tell recipients of gov't asst. to get a job, well guess what, most of everyone I know, other than the ones that are disabled do have jobs and work hard for their money. So before you pass judgement, you should bite your tongue because you never know when the shoe may end up on the other foot and people like me have to pay for you. When your down, do you really need someone kicking you? No, I think not.18142I was a 20 year old single mom when my mother passed and I had to go on my own. I moved into a section 8 apt and paid about $300/month (in 1980). After 6 months I got a raise and was forced to break my lease because the rent went way up. I was told that I'd have to pay until the apt was rented plus lose my deposit. A couple months later I got my deposit back with a letter stating "in 30 years of managing section 8 apts, I've never seen one so clean". I was shocked-not because I got the deposit back, but because the apt was "So clean". Heck, I simply cleaned it. I think there are a several types of section 8 folks...those that worked hard and need a hand and appreciate it, and those that never worked and paid for anything and have no appreciation of anything because they've never earned it. Can't imagine being healthy and sitting on my butt (or back) all day and expect everyone else to work for you though. And speaking from experience-ladies, get on birth control. Always.18665