Proposed changes could have a profound impact on the two million American households receiving rent subsidies through the Section 8 voucher program.
"The Obama administration on Wednesday proposed sweeping changes to the biggest federal subsidy program for low-income renters in an effort to encourage more poor renters to move to wealthier neighborhoods," reports Laura Kusisto.
"The changes in the Section 8 voucher program would give a bigger subsidy to tenants in expensive neighborhoods, helping them make up the difference between what they can afford and the high rents in areas that often have better schools and transportation," adds Kusisto. On the other end of the spectrum, the new system would decrease subsidies headed to poorer neighborhoods—a move that creates concern among landlords and tenant groups, who warned of increased evictions and rising rents as a result.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development hopes to produce a final draft of the changes by the fall.
The article might be behind a paywall for some readers.
Read the full story: Obama Administration Unveils Proposed Changes to Section 8 Subsidy Program
April Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
A key federal housing assistance program is in peril, Maui tries to balance housing affordability with its tourism-based economy, and a landmark Virginia law could set a new standard for road safety.
Housing Vouchers as a Key Piece of Houston’s Housing Strategy
The Houston Housing Authority supports 19,000 households through the housing voucher program.
Texas Law Bars Source of Income Discrimination
The law seeks to address a growing number of HOA regulations that prohibit renting to Section 8 voucher recipients.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.
LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority