Housing Programs: Dismal sign of the times

Monday, May 16, 2005

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

It's a sign of the times and the federal financial squeeze. The King County Housing Authority has had to cut many working poor, needy seniors and disabled people from a waiting list for help.

The authority last week informed more than 4,000 low-income households that they had been removed from the waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers, which help people get into privately owned rentals. The change left only 1,000 individuals and families on the list.

There is no prospect of near-term help for the remaining households, either. Federal budget cuts and regulation changes have contributed to a decision to issue no new vouchers when people leave the program. The Seattle Housing Authority is also freezing new vouchers because of reductions in federal help, although its 2,000-household waiting list hasn't been slashed. Seattle hopes to serve some of them after studying such possibilities as covering less of the rent and reducing apartment sizes.

The King County authority's executive director, Stephen Norman, said slashing the waiting list was "a sad day ... for low-income seniors, people with disabilities and poor working families." But anticipated reductions in future federal aid forced the agency to be honest. No help is on the way soon.

The county and the state have launched efforts to end or reduce homelessness. But if the federal government keeps shrinking its aid, the working poor, seniors and disabled people will feel the pain.


With federal deficits huge, how should federal housing programs be funded?
20.4% Less than in the past. The war and the tax cuts take priority	24.6% At stable levels. The needy shouldn't suffer
50.7% More than in the past. Homelessness is a national scandal	4.2% Undecided or don't care
Total Votes: 284