What is Section 8.....?

Question

I've been hearing about it, and I saw it on a t-shirt today, and I have no idea what it is......I live in Arkansas if that helps, and it's a local thing.

Answer 1

Its housing for low class families.

Answer 2

It depends entirely on the context.  When used as military slang, a "section 8" is a discharge from the armed services due to mental defect, or can be used to indicate insanity.  Example:  "Roger's section 8."  or "He got discharged on a section 8."

If used in the context of real estate, it means government subsidized housing for low-income families.

Answer 3

It allows low income people to purchase decent housing.

Answer 4

Prettyproducerbee and MO are absolutely right. It is housing assistance for low income families. Great answer's guys!

Answer 5

Makes renting a home manageable for people who have a hard time making end meet.  Units are not all rented out for the same amount....you pay 30% of your monthly income for a place to live.

Answer 6

Well the only Section 8 I know of apparently is in Army regulations section 8 means you have been kicked out of the military because you have mental problems.

Answer 7

In Real Estate it is housing for low-income families http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_8_(...

Answer 8

I believe it is government subsidy...

Answer 9

It's a rental subsidy like other people say.  It's a federal thing, not just a local thing.  Often there's a wait list for landlords who are willing to accept Section 8 tenants.  They receive the full rent for the house or apt., and the govt makes up the difference.  However, SOME low income people are low income because they have a low intelligence & end up causing trouble.  In addition, local administrators for the programs have strict inspections of the place to make sure it's in perfect condition, & the landlords must agree to such inspections.  The good news for the landlords is that they are guaranteed their rent money, & the tenants MAY behave themselves if they're afraid of getting kicked out of the program.  

Some drawbacks are that not all deserving tenants will receive the subsidy.  Also, if some low income tenants do not act in ways that fit in with the other tenants, people start making stereotypes about Section 8 tenants.  I've found myself making such stereotypes when the tenants are noisy & take drugs or if their kids aren't well-behaved.  Then I ask myself why my tax dollars are used to support horrible neighbors, while at the same time, my income isn't very high either.  On the other hand, some of the Section 8 tenants have turned out to be wonderful people and do not abuse the system.  They may save some money to go to school and end up creating better lives for themselves & making a fine contribution to society.