Housing Vouchers Should Be Easier to Use - And There’s a Way
- Author: Aubrey Sipes
- Posted: 2024-09-09
But the shocking truth is, many times, these vouchers don't do the job. The problem is so bad that, nearly half the time, they're not even used.
It's not really a secret; experts and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have been saying for years how difficult it is for both people looking for homes and those offering them to navigate the voucher system. What we really need, they say, is a direct payment system that just covers the rent without all the hassle.
The issue has been in the spotlight thanks to a story in USA Today, which points out that, across different cities, vouchers often fail to help those in need.
It explores why it's so tough to put these vouchers to use, with New York University’s research pinpointing solutions like adjusting rent allowances to better match what homes actually cost in nicer areas.
Other ideas include giving landlords reasons to accept vouchers, like financial perks and making the process easier, especially around property checks and during the time it takes to process a lease.
There are too many rules on where and how vouchers can be used, plus the hurdles landlords face, make the system a real headache to use.
Oddly enough, a lot of people who get these vouchers aren't homeless; they might already have a place but it's either too expensive or just not suitable. Finding a landlord who accepts the voucher or rents within HUD’s price limits often proves fruitless.
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A 2018 HUD study identified the main barriers as too much regulation, cost, and frustration, not discrimination. The simple fix? Give the money directly to those who qualify or to their landlords without fussing over inspections or other processes.
However, some are skeptical. For instance, an official from the Housing Authority of Los Angeles expressed concerns that renters might misuse direct cash payments, a problem that could be avoided if the money went straight to landlords.
Despite years of talking about this, the solutions is pretty clear. We should enable direct payments to ease the financial burden on households, scrap the current inspection system that discourages landlords, invest in fixing up older buildings to make more rentals viable, and ensure those currently struggling to pay rent can access the subsidy.
At the end of the day, families in need don't benefit from complicated voucher systems or programs; they need actual cash to help cover their rent now.
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