Ooohh, excellent observation!
You know what
could be done to
truly help those families?
Allow them to buy and teach them how to care for
their own houses!
Seriously, a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, in conjunction with the City of Sheffield's Housing Department and a partnership with UNA/Shoals Community College and the USDA County Extension Agent's office could truly help those folks.
As it is now, Section 8 housing money comes from the federal government and is awarded to the city to disburse as they see fit, using certain qualifying guidelines. And in many cases, the residents pay something to live there. The subsidy money is, for all practical purposes, income to the residents. Also, the costs of upkeep could be decreased, since they would be borne by the resident. Residents not able to provide their own upkeep could use the same subsidy as part of the deal. In other words, figuring the total cost of ownership (as is already done) and
Habitat and Sheffield could allow folks to buy their own houses (eliminating slum tenements)
using the concept of "sweat equity" that is a hallmark of Habitat Houses. Habitat houses are not "given away," but are
sold to the residents with interest-free mortgages according to guidelines in
Exodus 22:25.
Habitat families must attend classes and workshops to help prepare them for the challenges of homeownership, have the ability to afford and responsibility to pay the mortgage, and pay $1,000.00 for closing cost on their home. A credit report on the prospective families to assure they are paying their bills as part of the nearly year-long process of qualifying for a Habitat house.
Sheffield could invest in those people's future and the city's future by allowing public housing residents the opportunity to develop pride through ownership.
The UNA/SCC & Extension Agent's office could assist in teaching budgeting and home owner skills.
All it takes is some imaginativity, creativity and desire to seriously change things!