Lancaster, California has experienced a surge of Section 8 renters, and they are facing discrimination from residents and city officials, Jennifer Medina reports for The New York Times.
The housing bust caused a number of homes to become available at discounted rates, which were taken advantage of by Section 8 renters.
Medina writes:
"Thousands of houses sat foreclosed or vacant, while others were bought up by investors who did not necessarily live in the city but were eager to rent out the space. That left a prime opportunity for Section 8 recipients, who were thrilled by the relative bargain."
Lancaster and the city of Palmdale, another area that has seen an increase in Section 8 renters, ordered investigations into Section 8 compliance, which has led to the two cities holding half of the proposed revocations.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris has been a leading opponent of Section 8 renters, yet he contends that the city does not have the tools to cater to a low-income community.
"He said that by not providing the city with more money to provide social services or warning potential residents that there is little public transportation, the county was 'just sending people here to die.'"
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