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Is section 8 housing fair or does it bring down real estate values in the neighborhood?

I have a few section 8 homes near me and I have read that it will bring down my home value. Does anyone have info?

Public Comments

1. It really depends on the people..If you bring in trash-it will certainly effect the values...I have a building filled with section 8 tenants---they are all good people and unless someone asked no-one would know they get assistance.Some are disabled-and most work but simply cant afoord the going rent prices.
2. Here is one study. It said that it had minimal impact on the home values in the neighborhood. You might be able to find more information. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/components/7565_09.html I've lived in places where others were on Section 8. It has been a mixed bag. Sometimes the people have been quiet, took care of the place - they were just families that were down on the luck, you know? Or people who, for whatever reason, just don't make a lot of money. Sometimes there were people who made lots of noise, sold drugs - all of the stereotypes come to life. But then again, I've seen that with people who weren't section 8 too.
3. No, what will bring down your home value is trashy people. People on assistance are not necessarily synonymous with trash. As a landlord, you are able to impose your own requirements and conditions on section 8 tenants, so long as they are within fair housing guidelines. Me, I require they have at least average credit with no outstanding debt in collections, other than medical debt. I require they have no evictions for the past 5 years, and that, along with the money provided through section 9 and their household income, they have 3 times the monthly rent coming into the household. With that in place, I don't have hardly any problems, and as the other answerer mentioned, you wouldn't be able to pick out which of my tenants received assistance if you tried.