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Is low income housing and section 8 housing the same thing?

I'm trying to help a friend get back on her feet and am a little lost. She was evicted from her apartment b/c she didn't pay the rent (b/c she was admitted into a mental hospital) so now she has lost her section 8 privileges and no longer qualifies. Is low income housing the same thing?

Public Comments

1. No, they are both housing paid for by tax payers but they are different programs. She will no longer qualify for ANY housing programs except for the homeless shelters. The ban is for her entire life. The housing authority will not tolerate anyone screwing their landlord for any reason, she will have to completely support herself from now on. The tax payers will not be burdened with her further.
2. No they are not. Section 8 is a voucher program that is independent from subsidized housing. Some apartment complexes offer a subsidized housing program similar to Section 8, without the voucher but they are not the same thing.
3. you need to find the local social service agencies that support handicapped individuals and those released from the mental health system. they've dealt with this situation before -- frequently, the 'solution' is sheltered housing or a half-way house -- these are frequently sponsored by either local government or local charities. contact your/her US Representative's office to discover if there is any way for them to intercede with the FHA on the 'section 8' program. {it was renamed a few years ago, but the shorthand term is still 'section 8'} the potential argument is that mentally ill persons are handicapped under the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the FHA may have to make appropriate allowances for this. GL
4. Unless the violation is drug related or the scene of another crime, she is NOT barred for life. Please do not tell her that she is barred for life. If she is barred, there is more to that story than delinquent rent. Depending on her mental stability, she could have another meltdown if you give her negative and misleading information. It's probably too late to appeal the initial eviction because she is already gone. She must contact her social worker and explain why she was late with the rent. She has to re-apply for some type of assistance. At that point they might decline her request, and that is when she can appeal. Since you mentioned she was in a mental hospital, she has mental conditions; which is a sickness. They will take this into "special consideration" if she needs low income housing and section 8. Depending how bad her mental condition is, this may open new opportunities for her. Section 8 and low income housing are different. She may qualify for a halfway house or a group home as well. Please contact your local social services department or welfare division. They can further assist her and explain what steps she can take to qualify for low income housing or a new section 8 unit. She may also want to contact Legal Aide. It's a free service. Most states have this service. It can assist people in her situation. I wish her well.