Massachusetts Has a Huge Waitlist for State-Funded Housing. So Why Are 2,300 Units Vacant?

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Families are stuck in shelters or sleeping in their cars while a flawed state selection process and meager funding for renovations leave apartments empty for years.

Posted by retort at 08:57 PM | 12 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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2300 vacancies sounds way above normal but one would have to examine HUD's guidelines for both owner and tenancy before that question could be answered. They can be quite different from one HUD contract to another or between apartments and houses, independent living, assisted living, families, etc., etc. etc. And also whether or not a building or a house or a management company (bookkeeping) has passed HUD's annual inspection. Sometimes it's just a matter of HUD denying occupancy of vacant units until unlivable units are brought up to HUD's standards. And sometimes, it can be a matter of investigating complaints about abuse of tenants.

#1 | Posted by Twinpac at 2023-09-20 05:13 AM | Reply

Is there a govt bureaucracy anywhere run efficiently? Politics and cronyism and nepotism always involved. MA is probably as bad as any.

#2 | Posted by Robson at 2023-09-20 10:58 AM | Reply

Is there a govt bureaucracy anywhere run efficiently?
#2 | POSTED BY ROBSON

This is my question, I have no problem with more taxes if used efficiently. But the US doesn't seem to do anything efficiently, its like everyone gets a chunk and nothing goes to the cause.

#3 | Posted by oneironaut at 2023-09-20 11:58 AM | Reply

Is there a govt bureaucracy anywhere run efficiently?
#2 | POSTED BY ROBSON
This is my question, I have no problem with more taxes if used efficiently. But the US doesn't seem to do anything efficiently, its like everyone gets a chunk and nothing goes to the cause.
#3 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

Now tell me Corporate America is efficient.

BTW, 2,300 vacancies is just over 7% of total units set aside for the program. That's actually better than average for most apartment complexes doing well.

#4 | Posted by Sycophant at 2023-09-20 12:15 PM | Reply

#2
#3

It's always funny.

First, conservatives spend decades undermining efficient government, or even the thought of efficient government. (see "drown government in a bathtub")

Then, conservatives complain heavily about inefficient government.

When the plan from one side is to only undermine or destroy government, rather than make it more effective and efficient, why are those same people surprised when government is broken? Our government operations are only as good as the people overseeing them.

#5 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2023-09-20 02:34 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

This is a priority human rights issue. They need to streamline the process somehow.

#6 | Posted by moder8 at 2023-09-20 02:40 PM | Reply

When the plan from one side is to only undermine or destroy government..

#5 | POSTED BY WHATSLEFT

And what timing! Here's a post about conservatives undermining and destroying government:

GOP Yet Again Tries to Cut Social Security

#7 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2023-09-20 02:45 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Liberals see a problem and try to address it. Conservatives complain about a problem and try to ignore it.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

#8 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2023-09-20 06:02 PM | Reply

Section 8 housing typically pays politcal landlord cronies 50% or more than their delapidated crime infested properties are worth.

Unless it is dedicated to senior citizens Section 8 properties turn good communities into drug filled crap holes. Section 8 has become bad news culture that destroys life for inhabitants.

#9 | Posted by Robson at 2023-09-21 07:33 AM | Reply

Democrats bring millions of 3rd world people into our country to help Dems and destroy the country. Who on this forum would live in typical urban Section 8 in 2023, except in those dedicated to seniors? Ive seen it evolve over the years to places not fit for human consumption. It is clientele living there that play a big part.

#10 | Posted by Robson at 2023-09-21 07:44 AM | Reply

Poverty did not always equal drugs and crime in our country as it does today The Great Depression was relatively non violent. People had a different culture and different demographics. Democrats groomed this new culture of bad into our society.

#11 | Posted by Robson at 2023-09-21 07:55 AM | Reply

First, conservatives spend decades undermining efficient government, or even the thought of efficient government. (see "drown government in a bathtub")

Then, conservatives complain heavily about inefficient government.

I don't blame conservaturds for this.

I blame their idiot voters that fall for it over and over and over without fail.

"I love the poorly educated!" is not the compliment they think it is.

millions of 3rd world

This is your brain on drugs.

#12 | Posted by Nixon at 2023-09-21 08:52 AM | Reply