Section 8 vouchers a safety net for those in need

There are so many misconceptions and a tremendous lack of accurate information and under- standing concerning Section 8 Vouchers. These vouchers keep families and singles in safe shelters in homes and rental apartments. The program was created by the Housing Community Development Act of 1978. The Housing Choice Voucher program, also known as Section 8 today, provides assistance to those qualified low-and moderate-income families and singles to be able to lease spaces in the private market. Key factors to be considered are gross annual income and family size. These funds act as rental subsidies in conjunction with those qualified participants to pay an equitable and fair amount of their income, no more than a maximum of 40% of their adjusted monthly takehome pay towards their rent share.

NYCHA (NYC Housing Authority) was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable rentals for low-middle income New Yorkers and administers the largest Section 8 program in the U.S. Approximately 85,000+ Section 8 vouchers and over 25,000+ owners currently engage successfully in the program. The NYC Housing Preservation & Development and NYS Homes and Community Renewal also facilitate Section 8 programs in NYC. NYCHA is home to approximately 1 in 16 New Yorkers across 177,569 units within 335 housing developments through public, Section 8, and PACT/RAD programs. More can be researched by going to NYC Section 8 Voucher info for complete information on the program and required qualifications.

Nassau County has a Section 8 Voucher Program similar to NYC programs. However, after 30 years of consistent service, as of November 30, 2022, the program no longer was handled by the Nassau County Department of Housing, via NYS Homes and Community Renewal. Then the Town of North Hempstead and Hempstead Town Section 8 programs were then administered by the Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI), effective 12/1/22. Any

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

programs that were already in effect were not altered whatsoever and the funding continued uninterrupted. The current number to call for assistance is (631) 471-1215. For more information go to: Section 8 Info There are also grant programs for those who want to purchase but do not have the available funds for closings. If you reside in the home for at least 10 years, the money becomes a grant and you do not have to repay the funds.

I must dispel some erroneous and incorrect facts about Section 8 Programs. Those families and singles seeking assistance who qualify are being supported by NYS and/or the U.S. government. Landlords are guaranteed consistent payments electronically transferred monthly into their corporate accounts without any interruption. I ask any landlord, do you have or ever had any of your tenants guarantee their rental payments each and every month without fail? The answer is most assuredly, “No!” These government-secured programs allow the prospective tenants to work and in certain situations, earn up to $100,000 with adjustments to the amount they will receive depending on family size.

I am currently assisting a family who has a Section 8 Voucher and working with a Landlord in Great Neck. He has met the prospective tenant and is very happy with them. The tenant happens to be going to law school but has a total of 5 in her family. Most important, rental payments will go directly into his account on a monthly basis without any issues or interruptions. No excuses about forgetting, lack of a stamp, no envelope, no computer or internet service, avoiding paying, or whatever excuses tenants normally provide. The other issues with tenants that landlords accept outside the Section 8 Voucher Programs are; what happens when their finances change due to the loss of a job or failure of their busi- ness? What if an adult passes away and the rent cannot be paid? Landlords should be much more open to considering Section 8 Voucher families. Landlords do not have to worry about income or credit since the prospective tenants aren’t responsible for their rent, but there are exceptions to the rules and regulations of the law. Here 2 additional links to find out more information and become more educated and informed as to the huge benefits of the Section 8 Programs and exceptions: Section 8 Government Programs https://www.hud.gov/ topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8

Landlords need to step up to the plate, and pay it forward by helping those in serious and sometimes desperate need of housing; who have qualified Section 8 Vouchers. Rental inventory is at historic lows, and there is a severe shortage of affordable units. Improvements in availability do not appear to be coming down the pike anytime soon. Landlords should not be afraid, or turn down Section 8 Vouchers (or enhanced Vouchers) as it is an important facet of our housing market. Fines can be quite severe. Newsday, reported several weeks ago that a major Long Island firm got caught saying that the landlord wasn’t considering a Voucher applicant. If you feel you have been discriminated against currently or in the past during your search, you can call and report your complaint to HUD at 1-800-6699777.

P.S. We are having our 2nd annual American Cancer Association Fund Raiser on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Governor’s Comedy Club at 90 Division Ave, Levittown. Tickets are $20 and all money will be donated to the Association. Doors and bar open at 6:30 pm. We will have 4 comedians that will be entertaining you beginning at 8 pm. We will also have a 50/50 Raffle and a possible Auction for some very valuable items. There will be a brief discussion or PowerPoint presentation on our Cancer issue. We sold out last year and raised $9700, so help us reach our goal of $20,000 this year. No tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event. So it is imperative that you call me (516) 647-4289 to purchase your tickets ASAP. Right now we have 85 left, so first come, first serve. Thanks!

Philip A. Raices is the owner/ Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and in 2022 has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly construction. He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to https://WWW.Li-RealEstate. Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

You can email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future column with your name, email and cell number. He will email or call you back and respond to your request ASAP as long as he has your complete name, cell, email and/or full home or business address. Again, for a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, he can also be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions and concerns in selling, investing, purchasing, or leasing residential or commercial property.