I would estimate that half of the Indianapolis area multi-family units were built in the suburbs under the HUD Section 236 starting in the 1970's. Section 236 had a Section 8 component whereby the owners were obligated to extend Section 8 vouchers to low income renters. A minimum of 20% of the units had to occupied by low income tenants.
I participated in presenting petitions to zoning boards in order to gain zoning exceptions for these 236 projects. Public objections presented at the hearings from remonstrators usually included density and and property tax questions. I don't recall a single objection to this program involving low income certificates or quality of construction issues.
Judging from this thread, some of us these days seem to object to the notion of providing housing for low income folks who otherwise might not be able to afford living in more affluent neighborhoods. Their objections come in the form of the federal government forcing itself on communities. As COH points out, housing diversity has been on the front burner for decades.
Why has the notion of giving a few low income families the opportunity to live in better neighborhoods become so undesirable after decades of having successful programs to help these people? It appears goals about which we once had agreement. regardless of political ideology, are now subject to being challenged if the program involves the federal government.
Vouchers?
Is that like them vouchers all the rich ruling class progressive folks have been fighting for 3 decades, trying to keep poor kids outta the private schools where they send their own kids?
Reminds me of a song I heard once:
Oh, the white folks hate the black folks,
And the black folks hate the white folks.
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.
But during National Brotherhood Week,
National Brotherhood Week,
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek.
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise,
As long as you don't let 'em in your school.
Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks,
And the rich folks hate the poor folks.
All of my folks hate all of your folks,
It's American as apple pie.
But during National Brotherhood Week,
National Brotherhood Week,
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans 'cause it's very chic.
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand.
You can tolerate him if you try.
Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Muslims,
And everybody hates the Jews.
But during National Brotherhood Week,
National Brotherhood Week,
It's National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It's only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!