In a perfect world, folks who live in affordable housing projects would simply be law-abiding, hard-working people who need lower-cost housing. But in the real world, lower-cost housing too often attracts at least a few troublemakers who spoil it for everyone. Trouble starts a downward slide because good, law-abiding poor folks don’t want to live with trouble either—even if their rent is cheaper. There may be exceptions but not enough of them. Even people who really need more affordable housing are rightfully leery of the bad reputation Section 8 complexes have earned. Villagers have invested in “the lifestyle” during the final phase of life when there’s a strong likelihood of declining frail health. Many Villagers have moved long distances, some across the country, but each is far away from his/her established community of friends and family. Villagers’ unique needs & concerns should be carefully considered and respected. The Villages’ high density of vulnerable seniors deserve to be more cautiously considered than a more age-diverse community would be. Section 8 funding too often comes with lax or unenforced rules which could put seniors—as well as the complex’s other residents—at risk. Prejudice is far too easily asserted. It’s much more difficult to give appropriate consideration to justifiable concerns. It’s prudent and reasonable for everyone to be skeptical about this project.
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