Section 8 Woes

Jeff Higgins · 01-19-2009, 05:51 AM

A somewhat satirical (but none the less true) account of a Section 8 lifer. Unbelievable...

Sharon Jasper has been victimized. Poor thing...she has been rabidly wronged. She has become a Section 8 care case -- the victim of ever changing public housing policies.Sharon Jasper has spent 57 of her 58 years dedicated to one cause and one cause only, and has nothing to show for her dedicated servitude.. She has lived in Section 8 housing all but 1 of her 58 years.

It was a legacy passed down from her parents who moved into Section 8 housing in 1949 when she was six months old. She has passed the legacy down to her children, but fears they may have to get jobs to pay for the utilities and deposits.

She laments about her one year hiatus from the comfort of her Section 8 nirvana, ' I tried it for a year -- you know, working and all. It's not anything I would want to go through again, or wish on anyone in my family, but I am damn proud of that year.'
Sharon was moved out of her St. Bernard housing project after hurricane Katrina and into a new, yet albeit, substandard quarterage. As can be noted from the above photo of her new Section 8 home, it is repugnant and not suitable for someone of Sharon Jasper's seniority status in the system. 'Don't be fooled by them hardwood floors,' says Sharon.

They told me they were putting in scraped wood floors cause it was more expensive and elegant, but I am not a fool -- that was just a way to make me take scratched up wood because I am black. The 60 inch HD TV? It may look nice but it is not a plasma. It's not a plasma because I'm black. Now they want me to pay a deposit and utilities on this dump.' 'Do you know why?'

She has held her tongue in silence through the years of abuse by the system, but it came to a head at the New Orleans ' city council meeting where discussions were under way about the tearing down of the St. Bernard projects. When a near riotous exchange between groups opposing the tearing down of St. Bernard and groups wanting the dilapidated buildings torn down and newer ones built, Sharon unleashed verbal hell with her once silenced tongue. The object of her oratory prowess was an acquiescent poor white boy in attendance.

The context of her scathing rebuke was, 'Just because you pay for my house, my car, my big screen and my food, I will not be treated like a slave!' and 'Back up and Shut up! Shut up, white boy! Shut up, white boy!'

Recapping from the mental log of the city council minutes in her head, Sharon repines, 'Our families have been displaced all over the United States. They are being forced to commit crimes in cities they are unfamiliar with. It is a very uncomfortable situation for them.. Bring them back, then let's talk about redevelopment.'

Sharon directs the reporter's attention across the street to Duncan Plaza where homeless people are living in tents and states that, 'I might do better out there with one of these tents.' She further lamented her sentiments about her situation, 'I might be poor, but I don't have to live poor.'

http://www.snopes.com/politics/satire/jasper.asp

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

Here tv is nicer than mine, the hardwood floors are also better. The couch is also steps ahead of what I have.

Speedy

Pazuzu · 01-19-2009, 06:04 AM

It appears that the Pod People have taken over, eaten her children already, and are planning on her for dinner.

I'd be upset too.

berettafan · 01-19-2009, 06:06 AM

my sec. 8 tenants have one of those tv's.

i figure if i'm going to be forced to pay tax money for those programs i might as well use some of it to buy myself a house!

masraum · 01-19-2009, 06:50 AM

funny stuff, sad that there's truth in it.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

In my Early computer forum days, Section 8 was usually reserved for the OT area. Section 8 was used because of the Army "Crazy" section 8. One person was rebuffed by the idea of a computer forum having a "Section 8", and thought it was an affront to those who lived in Section 8 housing....

Normy · 05:30 PM

Yeah, this makes sense-

It is a political publication designed to get right-wingers worked up. Rupert Murdoch is probably indirectly responsible for this crap. he makes MILLIONS of dollars from his "Fox News" network, which is nothing more than entertainment for right-wingers. Old white guys, people who follow their parents political views DOGMATICALLY, people who have served in the military [ESPECIALLY; the military uses peer-pressure to force recruits to not only be religious....but Republican] and people who haven't traveled [and as such hate people who speak different languages] typically follow these views.

Fox news [Faux news], or Rush Limbaugh or Mr. Ann Coulter or whatever WANT you to get worked up over their posts. They make things up EXACTLY the same way that the National Enquirer does.

Hello? The National Enquirer?

-You conservatives: How many of you have actually thought about what your Republican party FOISTS at you? Is there a reason that your political views are so hated now, and is there a reason that your views...espoused buy dubya Bush, put us in this predicament, and why do you think this place is good?

N?

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

How many languages do you speak? How many countries have you lived in? Not visited, but lived, for more than a month?

Normy · 05:37 PM

Languages I speak:

English. I have a working knowledge of Spanish, since I lived in Puerto Rico.

French, and I know a tiny amount of Flemish.

Question for you, Red Beard, before I go any further: tell me where Flemish is spoken:

N-

PS: You are going down a road you DON'T want to, redneck!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Nice change in the wording with your edit.

Flanders is part of Belgium.

I am going down a road that I shouldn't go down? I see.

And I'm an Idiot/Redneck? Wow. You can sure sling them.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

I would be willing to bet that she doesn't watch Fox news, but bet

Someone needs to put down the crack pipe.

fastfredracing · 01-19-2009, 05:44 PM

I was showing a potential tenant a house a couple of years ago, and she did not like what she saw, there was no off street parking for her newer Deville, her big screen tv was too big for the living room wall, and her water bed would crowd the bedroom. It must be hell. I feel the same way as beretta fan, If I am going to pay taxes so that these people can live, I may as well make some money at it . Out of all of the section 8 tenants I have had over the years. Not one of them appeared unable to work . Hell, I bust my arse every day , pay my taxes, and all I get from my government is tax bills, and penalties if I cant afford to pay on time.
We have been showing another house for the last week, and It also seems as if half of the people that have looked at it were in college. I think they even get assitance to go to school. Reallly jerks my sweet gherkin when I think about it. I dont even know if I will be able to send my son to college, but others can go for free. I think the system enables people to live off of the system, it is a shame, really no motivation to do anything for themselves. Hell, my motivation for going to work every day is to keep a roof over my familys head, and food on the table. I wonder if Myself , and my lady quit our jobs, if anyone would step in and take of us.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Have you ever owned rental property? Have you had an apartment ruined by a Sec 8 tenant? Have you had to spend over $5K to rehabilitate said apt? I have. I made a mistake in thinking I was helping people out. And they dealt drugs in my building. And then trashed it when I wanted them out.

Go grow up and learn something.

Zeke · 01-19-2009, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the snopes link. According to Wikepedia Section 8 was created in 1974 to replace a housing program known as Section 23 which came into effect in 1961. Neither program is as old as Jasper, hence the fact that she has not lived in section 8 housing all of her life except one year. She may have lived in some sort of subsidized housing since her birth, but the story is just that, a story. Snopes says the pic is real.

Kinda like the one I posted about the guy with 14 employees he was gonna fire because of an overload of taxes. Which, BTW, has not shown up on snopes.

fastfredracing · 01-19-2009, 06:03 PM

Red beard, I have been through all of this. I think I am getting good at this buisness. My stomach lining is harder, and I screen tenants much better. I got out of section 8 for my personal property, but have entered into a partnership with someone, and we are going for it. You HAVE to be proactive, and keep an eye on all of your places, and nip things in the but before they become huge issues. Make sure all utilities are on durnig the winter months. Ride them like they are ten year old year kids. I had a crack house on my hands a few years ago. Scary stuff. I was trying to evict people who scared the sheet out of me.

Normy · 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

Have you ever owned rental property? Have you had an apartment ruined by a Sec 8 tenant? Have you had to spend over $5K to rehabilitate said apt? I have. I made a mistake in thinking I was helping people out. And they dealt drugs in my building. And then trashed it when I wanted them out.

Go grow up and learn something.

Dude- you aren't on here enough or something!

Me:

1. Fedex pilot, former Kalitta Air, Southern Air Transport, Express One International. I have type ratings on the 727 and the 747, and have flown both of them around the world. I have been based in Washington Dulles [IAD], San Juan [SJU] Brussels Belgium [BRU], MCO, IND, MIA, YIP, and MEM, Memphis, my current base. I have lived and FLOWN around the world. Up until two years ago, I probably knew Nathan road in Hong Kong better than I knew Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale/Wilton Manors where I live.

2. Me and a business parter now have 28 units renting in FLL. We have two complexes, and 33 total units. I spend about half of my days off working on these rental units! The first complex is in an area of Fort Lauderdale called PoincianaHeights. It is fully renovated, and it is half occupied now. Most units are 500 square feet. Two of the units are 2/2, and around 800 square feet.

3. Our other rental place is in southwest Fort Lauderdale, and it involves 600 square foot single bedroom places. There is a single two/one, but it is rented.

4. Our company has three single family homes as well; One 2/1 which is rented by a family, a 3/2 rented by an older gay man, a 3/2 that is rented by three roomates, and a fourth that sits empty.

AS to your tirade about Section 8 people: we show our property in Southwest Fort Lauderdale during the morning hours ONLY. The reason for this is that in the evening...the Section 8 occupants of the places across the street tend to get "vocal". There are a lot of children running around...but from what I can tell it is just what it is: 10 year-old black kids being kids.

THERE is nothing nice about that section 8. But I would suggest you reconsider your own mores and thoughts. What makes a racist?

N!

Christien · Christien's Garage

Unreal. Sure, the facts have been extended for satire, but the basic facts are still there. This woman is a waste of skin. That TV is bigger than all the TVs in my house put together!

Normy: proof that dogma isn't just for the right-leaning anymore.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

Thanks for the snopes link. According to Wikepedia Section 8 was created in 1974 to replace a housing program known as Section 23 which came into effect in 1961. Neither program is as old as Jasper, hence the fact that she has not lived in section 8 housing all of her life except one year. She may have lived in some sort of subsidized housing since her birth, but the story is just that, a story. Snopes says the pic is real.

Kinda like the one I posted about the guy with 14 employees he was gonna fire because of an overload of taxes. Which, BTW, has not shown up on snopes.

Can't believe everything you see in Snopes. There is always a spin. Actually, state and county homes existed for many years prior to federal involvement in housing the poor. The Housing Act of 1937 provided for establishment of local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to build, own, and operate housing projects for the poor...The difference with section 8 is that it only subsidized rent on private rentals. This allows the folks that do not work to live, shop, and send their kids to school to school (and watch their big screen TVs) in better neighborhoods among the rest of us....while we are off at work.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normy

Dude- you aren't on here enough or something!

No, I've had you on ignore for months, but gave everyone a new years reprieve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normy

THERE is nothing nice about that section 8. But I would suggest you reconsider your own mores and thoughts. What makes a racist?

You are suggesting I am a racist?

Bye Normy. You add nothing to the conversations.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-20-2009, 05:07 AM

My grandfather owns a mobile home park where I worked for several years as a young lad. The number of people that milk the system and their feelings of entitlement are absolutely disgusting. The real irony is that those I have known that are really TRYING in life but could use a little help are too proud to take public assistance. The only individual I met that actually deserved the assistance he received had MS.