Section 8

Paducah- Lack of affordable housing has become a concern in the United States these days. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, nearly 70% of low-income families spend half of their income on rent. There are a great number of housing choice vouchers with the Paducah’s housing authority for the people who qualify. However, the problem is that not enough landlords participate in the program.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimated that Paducah’s housing authority can assist nearly 600 families but due to limited funding and lack of property owners willing to participate, the program can help only 393 families.

The budget for the Section 8 housing choice voucher program was also discussed in the meeting and it concluded that more property owners need to participate in the program to make it successful.

Anderson said, “Housing security is very important. You know, we have to look out for our fellow humans regarding making sure everyone has shelter”.

Throwing light on the significance of the program, Nicole Bolte said, “I think that if you’re a landlord, it can be great for you on the landlord side and the tenant side”.

She also said that doing so makes her feel good that she can offer something to the community that is affordable and safe.

All the funding for the program comes from HUD and more leases means more money for the community. The program will cost little less than $2 Million this year. The approval is still pending from the Paducah City Commission.