PALMDALE – The Community Action League (TCAL) on Friday held a press conference outside Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich’s Palmdale office, responding to this week’s announcement of a $2 million settlement in the Antelope Valley Section 8 discrimination case.
The agreement resolves allegations that the Housing Authority of Los Angeles County and the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale “targeted African-American with discriminatory enforcement” of the Section 8 housing choice voucher program, the Justice Department said Monday in announcing the settlement.
Members of the community group applauded the DOJ lawsuit settlement, saying it marks the beginning of a healing process for residents.
“What we started out to do is to change policy in the way that Section 8 deals with African-American,” TCAL co-founder Rev. V. Jesse Smith told reporters. “No longer will there be unannounced compliance checks … No longer will seven or 10 sheriff’s deputies show up at a Section 8 resident home, armed and ready to invade the home. That is now finished.”
As part of the settlement, the Housing Authority agreed to pay $1.97 million in damages on behalf of itself and the two cities. Combined with the previous DOJ settlement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for related conduct, the total compensation for individuals harmed by discriminatory enforcement of the Section 8 program is $2.67 million.
Many voucher holders who were discriminated against will be eligible to have their voucher terminations removed from their public housing record – while others who were improperly terminated will be reinstated to the voucher program, according to the Justice Department.
TCAL members on Friday also invited Section 8 residents to speak to the media about their past experiences with compliance checks.
Valerie Spencer claims she was left traumatized by an unannounced Section 8 housing check when sheriff’s personnel entered and ransacked her house.
“I was threatened with my child being taken away from me, and I was scared,” she told the media. “I pray that this doesn’t happen to anyone, but unfortunately it happened to me.”
Alberta Jackson spoke about what the settlement means to her as a Section 8 resident of Palmdale.
“This is a victory for me today,” Jackson said. “I had the Palmdale police come into my home, looking around and claiming they had a search warrant for something, but they had no search warrant available – they held me at gunpoint,” she said.
Jackson said she was not out to “demonize” anybody. “I will continue to speak out well within the law,” she said. “We are going to hold these elected officials accountable for allowing these things to happen.”
The city of Palmdale responded to the settlement, saying that it merely provided financial assistance to the Housing Authority to adequately perform fraud investigations required under the federal voucher program.
“After five years of intense scrutiny and two lawsuits, we paid nothing in the settlement,” said Palmdale City Attorney Matthew Ditzhazy. “We have maintained from the beginning that the city of Palmdale did nothing wrong and should never have been dragged into this lawsuit and I think the terms of the settlement reflect that.”
The city of Lancaster responded with equal vindication, stating in a press release that the city “unjustly came under fire when the Department of Justice decided to file suit against the municipality for having paid for a portion of investigators when the County of Los Angeles refused to otherwise enforce Section 8 rules.”
“The fact remains that the federal government pursued a witch hunt on our city … on our valley,” Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said in the new release. “As the mayor and resident of a truly integrated community, I am professionally and personally offended by the baseless allegations the city of Lancaster has been subjected to under the Department of Justice’s authority.”
According to the Justice Department’s complaint, the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster between 2004 and 2011 initiated and teamed with the Housing Authority and the sheriff’s department in a “targeted campaign of discriminatory enforcement against African-American voucher holders in order to discourage and exclude them and other African-American from living in the cities.”
As part of the agreement, the Housing Authority will reform its voucher program enforcement protocol, stopping unannounced field compliance checks for at least six years. Additionally, the Housing Authority has agreed to not share personal information about voucher holders with the sheriff’s department or the two cities.
The Justice Department is asking African-American voucher holders who believe they may have been discriminated against by the Housing Authority, the sheriff’s department, or the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale during a compliance check in the Antelope Valley between 2004 and 2011 to contact them at 1-800-896-7743, option 98, or email the department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov.
Previous related stories:
Housing Authority settles AV Section 8 discrimination case for $2 million
County settles Section 8 discrimination allegations
Monitoring team for Sheriff’s department introduced to AV community
Sheriff’s Department, DOJ settle AV civil rights case
DOJ alleges racial discrimination in Antelope Valley
County responds to federal lawsuit
DOJ attorneys, investigators hear from AV residents
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Tim says
May we never forget the words of Mayor R. Rex Parris on June 10, 2008 when he
declared “it’s time to go to war” against Section 8, damning our beloved valley to an embarrassing lawsuit, national headlines, and costing the taxpayer millions of dollars.
http://lancaster.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=176
T. Perkins says
The best place to go if you are on Section Eight right now is Las Vegas, Nevada! Trust me! I did and I do not regret it. There are lots of new, nice homes and apartments there for rent, even in the nicer parts of the city and close to lots of work in the casinos, malls, buffets, night clubs and restaurants. They are always building new housing tracts, so the housing here is very new and there is lots more of it to choose from. I got a job right after I moved here. When I was back in AV, I was living on east side Lancaster in a run-down 1970s house with water and heating issues and I couldn’t find a job. Here in Las Vegas, the housing authority helps you save money to actually buy the house you’re renting if thats what you want to do. Best move I ever made! F*** ANTELOPE VALLEY! GET OUT OF HERE WITH THAT MESS!
Em Kay says
So Vegas, huh??? Ok.
bill says
Yes, please get out.
noway says
I hate that he makes himself look like malcom X… he tries to have that “look” and so gullible people are supposed to follow him… look at how he sits at the podium.. with that look on his face – ya gullible people lets all follow him because he has the right look… NO! how about we all stop being so gullible!!!
Tim Scott says
Do you really think that anyone believes adopting a “look” from someone that only really old people ever saw makes any difference? If you had said “look who this guy is trying to imitate” I’d bet you’d get a hundred answers and none would be Malcolm X.
Tim says
May we never forget the words of Stan Muhammad and what he represents.
http://youtu.be/O40hGfKuwvU
Claire says
I will never forget the words of Stan Muhammad and what he represents.
Desiree says
It may seem impressionable but living on and receiving Section 8 is a trap. It is a trap to live in poverty when so many receiving it can live a much better life if they will work. Growing up, my mom had to resort to 3 jobs, one a factory job that I will never forget. She came home so tired. But she worked her but off and at 67, she is well rounded, owns a home, and is doing well on her own. My aunt, on the other hand, was the one that lived her life for the “Freebies” and at 68, she owns nothing. She lives with a daughter and she has no retirement, she owns no property, she lives off of $800.00 a month, and has passed this on to her 9 children. Out of the 9 adult children she has raised, only one holds a job. Her 4 boys, all adults, have NEVER held a job a day in their lives and are to this day supported by women who receive AFDC. I don’t know about you, but this is not what I would want for myself, or my children. My kids have worked since they were 16 and still work. One is in the Army, the other the Air Force, and one has worked the same job for 9 years. When living off the system with no desire to look for work but to live in low income housing for years, returns no benefits in your retirement years. Those who work, for the most part, own homes, have 401K plans, life insurances, children who work, and most importantly, an inheritance to leave your children. I think that Section 8 should only be for Veterans (Thank you for serving our country to keep us safe) those with honest disabilities, and the elderly. For a single parent with children, it should only be allowed for 5 years with the parent having to attend college so that they can get an education to get off the system. I don’t believe that “Boyfriends” should be allowed to stay in the Section 8 home, nor do I agree with adult children residing in the home. The Section 8 housing should only be allowed for the parent and children. If you hold jobs and you have a home that you work hard to live in, give thanks every day. Give thanks that you don’t have to live off the system, or even desire to live off the system. There is nothing wrong with giving a hard day’s work to earn your money. I am not here to judge those who do receive the benefits – I just know that there is a much better life for them, regardless of their nationality. Section 8 is such a trap and I don’t want to see anyone caught up in it, unless they truly can’t work due to disability or age. I saw what it did to my aunt and I mourn for what her life turned out to be. She has nothing. She has nothing to leave her children. Her boys have never worked a day in their lives – in and out of prison, depending on women to support them. This is no life. I want to see better for everyone, regardless of their nationality. Again, I am grateful for Section 8 and those that it helps, and I wish for the program to continue – but I do think that there has to be change. I think 5 years should be the limit and you have 5 years to prepare; college, job training, etc., if by then you don’t have it in place, it is up to you to figure out. But the system should not have to support someone for 30 years as in my aunts case.
aha says
Her 4 boys, all adults, have NEVER held a job a day in their lives and are to this day supported by women who receive AFDC. Her boys have never worked a day in their lives – in and out of prison, depending on women to support them. WOW BULLS EYE.
Desiree says
Not one day. All four are supported by women who receive 100 percent assistance from the Government. Her oldest is currently incarcerated and being supported by his wife who receivers Social Security
Again, I prefer to work
The 2 Million will not go far – SO many people are going to come forward to collect it so dodoo the math.
You are better off working to earn what you need in this life – I would not change my life with any of my cousin’s lives for 2 Million dollars
Sickoftheirways says
What you say is so true…I agree….BUT…90% of them are on and will stay on these programs BECAUSE they want something for nothing. They will never change…We just need to keep WATCHING over the undeserving people (excluding the deserving ones you mentioned) ourselves as a community, call police, child services, etc. over and over, what ever it takes to keep them inline so to speak or get them OUT…We as a community have gotten RID of 3 of these types of families in the last 2 years by doing just that, things on our street are very good now.
We need to keep our neighborhoods safe, quite with nice looking clean yards ourselves.
chuck says
they live better than I have ever lived they all got new cars and big houses I have worked 35 years of my life and can’t have any of that plus they get it tax free.not bad.section 8 ruined are town I had to get to of there cause it just made me sick I lived there all my life and I am 56
Tim Scott says
You needed to get out of this place when you were young. It was a deathtrap back then. No wonder you haven’t been able to accomplish what you wanted in life. There are opportunities here now, that’s the only reason I was willing to come back.
Mary says
Don’t ever think this is true. My cousin’s all live off the system – 9 kids and they don’t even speak to each other. They don’t do anything all day and just fight and fight and fight and fight and hate and hate and hate and hate. Because they do not work they just dwell on hurting each other and hurting others. They cause drama ALL day on FB because they have nothing else to do with their lives. They sleep in until noon and go to bed at 2 in the morning. By the time they wake up, their day is over. Life is just passing them up. Trust me, being on the system is a trap and it is not a life that you want for yourself. Give thanks everyday of your life that you work for what you have. I have never envied my cousins. I am so thankful that I was born to my mom, and not my aunt. My cousin’s dont even have decent frends – all gang bangers and trouble makers – they may ha a bigger home than me, and a nice car, and a stocked fridge, but they are a mess
home owner says
If you live by a typal section 8 house that seems to have a loud, pot smoking party every night of the week, start calling in complaints to the sheriff department. Each complaint is noted and after a certain number of calls the landlord will start getting fined. By them getting fined they can then file with Sec8 to cancel their current contract and remove the tenant. It took my neighbor four years of legit complaint and the owner finally sold the house to a young family. BUT lets remember that every sec8 family isnt horrible. The family two doors down with a ton of kids are so quiet I didn’t even realize how many kids they have. The mother is a working woman in a medical office and the father, disabled, stays home to raise the kids. They are a great family. HOWEVER the ppl prior to them were HORRIBLE. Ppl start a campaign against the troublemakers in sec8.
Tim Scott says
Just to note…not every bad tenant that has an irresponsible landlord is on section 8. If you know your neighbors (actual neighbor who lives there as well as landlord) you can resolve a lot of problems without resorting to calling the cops.
Mary says
If you don’t have Section 8 – be grateful. Most people, regardless of race, end up on this system their entire life. It’s a life time trap for 90 percent of those receiving all the free stuff. Is this the life you want?
I think working your butt off, even if it s 3 jobs, is the proper way to go on in this life. My aunt got the freebies for YEARS and at 68, she has NOTHING to show for it – She doesn’t own a home, she has no 401K, no savings, no car, and lives ofc $800.00 a month. She has to live with a daughter to even make it. Don’t envy anyone who doesn’t work for what they have because when they are my aunt’s age, they too will have nothing to show for their life. Section 8 should be for veterans, disabled, and elderly. My mom had 5 kids and worked three jobs. At 68 she has a very good life – all her hard work paid off. If you have 2 working legs and two working arms, there is no excuse for you not to be working and I don’t care what nationality you are – there is nothing wrong with working for what you have. My aunt has 9 now grown kids and out of her 9 kids, only 1 has a job. Her grown boys have NEVER worked a day in their lives and live off their girlfriends welfare money :(
They learned what they lived.
Danny says
What a joke no wrong was done just another witch hunt tha that needed an outcome that would keep “them” happy.
Tim Scott says
Keep talking bad like that about law enforcement Danny and the local leg riding posse will start speculating that you are a criminal.
Question Danny…have you ever said “nothing was done wrong, it was a witch hunt” when it was the sheriff’s department investigating crimes done by citizens? You seem to think that federal law enforcement just runs around doing whatever they feel like and ignoring the law. Don’t you think county law enforcement would do the same thing?
Irena says
FYI, Section list is closed and has been for the past few years. This means they aren’t really accepting any new vouchers except in extreme circumstances. Those already on the list have about a 5-8 year waiting list.
https://harp.hacola.org/ex/NewApp.aspx:
PUBLIC HOUSING & AFFORDABLE WAIT LIST CLOSED!
All Public Housing and Affordable waiting lists are currently closed. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please call 626-586-1845.
Also a few years ago there was a bill going through the California congress that would have forced landlords to accept section 8 tenants no matter what. It never made it very far. As a landlord I am 0 for 3 with section 8 tenants and if given a choice I would prefer not to in the future. I also do property management for a living besides my own rentals and each experience I have had with section 8 has been less than stellar. Not saying that all recipients are bad, but the 8 or so I have had to deal with, It has been horrible. Teenagers being arrested, illegal occupants, neglect of property. You name it I have seen it.
Claire says
What’s wrong with this picture? Stan Muhammad, a leader in Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam. He say’s he hates faggots (his words), and Jews; along with a lot more hateful rhetoric. An all of this while he’s praying! Oh yes, and he was appointed by Rex Parris!
Tim says
May we never forget the words of Stan Muhammad and what he represents.
http://youtu.be/O40hGfKuwvU
LaughOrIllCry says
Black Muslims speaking for our community…. Heaven help us!!!!
Mohammed and his people are sooooo obviously and openly racist against whites, homophobic and anti-semetic that its almost laughable. But they make it seem like its mainstream and acceptable here in the AV.
Does anyone else have the courage to call a spade a spade??
Goldie says
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!
Rego says
GER sums it up
Mike says
The AV, home to the Sec 8 low lifes, illegals, drug pushers, gange bangers, ghetto fabulous, and let’s not forget the parolees.
Tim Scott says
If you think that is all that is here, and that you don’t belong, get out. Don’t whine about it, get out. Don’t endlessly repeat your claim (which is in error anyway), just get out. A hundred to one odds no one would miss you in the slightest if you packed up and split, so hurry up or shut up.
Danny says
So true, wish they all would pack up and leave as well as the enablers like Tim.
Sick of paying taxes says
Even though not every user of section 8 is an abuser of the system, my experience is that wherever the “section 8” government assistance is in use; crime, drugs and child neglect is rampant.
What the programs needs is a immediate change of the section 8 rules starting with a very strict “screening” of the users, so we can avoid all that ABUSE, I am sick of paying taxes so others can live for free, use drugs and after they have exhausted their little money they get from the government welfare they come to assault me to steal my stuff.
Tim Scott says
So stop paying taxes.
Reduce your income by quitting your job, and either panhandle or do odd jobs for cash.
Give away any real estate you own and you won’t have to pay property taxes.
Get as much of the stuff you need as you can by barter or donation so you minimize exposure to sales tax.
Problem solved.
What? You aren’t tired of the benefits of being a taxpayer? Then quit whining about being one.
William says
@Sick of paying taxes
Your tax money is going to the landlords who are getting government money to pay for the mortgages on their investment properties. How ’bout that?
Your upset is directed at the wrong folks.
AverageJoe says
The people that where terminated where terminated for a reason, those are the facts, regardless HOW they got caught. If they where all following the agreement originally signed, it would not matter, there would be nothing to hide, ever. They are all just mad because they got caught, then use race to call it “discrimination”. How many years is the race card going to be used? Personally I would like to know more about this, including what happens if the offenders get caught again, Will it still be “discrimination”? Anonymous tips, and simple observations by officials can easily lead to investigations to terminate as well, thinking that every case is due to “discrimination” is just nonsense. There are already plenty of current offenders who will never be caught, there is no sense in reinstating the ones that have gotten caught.
The Truth says
If I was as unhappy as these people look…I would move…maybe to another country.
Or is it just an act…???
No Fan of Stan says
Stan Muhammad is mad because he heard that some homosexuals and Jews were getting Section 8. You know how he feels about those groups, don’t you?
Vets Widow says
@ Mr Fed up….I also agree that this program needs to be restructured for the Disabled, the Veterans & the Veterans Disabled Children and Seniors. As a Vets Widow, we have a son who has many disabilities due to his Vet Father who was exposed to Agent Orange, passed away and it has affected our son at birth. He is having a very difficult time finding a decent place to live which is affordable, as he is on SSI because of his disabilities. We all know that SSI does not pay much to live a decent life.
Brandi says
Look at all you mad at the people on section 8. Smh when you should be mad that where discriminated against and wonder why people resort to a life of poverty on purpose so you suggest. What you are doing is blaming others for your own life sorrows Smh. Glad they had to pay for discriminating.
Fact Checker says
Does this paper ever fact check?? Do we know there was no warrant for these searches and no reason? Go check court files. When you see there are warrants, or drugs, or child abuse etc. get back to the public. Until then you are printing nothing but allegations with no standards and you will never be a legitimate news source.
KayDee says
Umm, the DOJ ALREADY CONCLUDED that the sheriffs were doing warrant-less searches and the county ADMITTED it by coughing up the $2 mil and stopping said unannounced compliance checks. What else is there to fact check? Smh… Give up already. THEY WERE WRONG BOO… Smh!
Tim Scott says
Lord knows I’m not likely to be recognized as a great supporter of the AV Times, but on this one you are about a mile off base. The question of whether these were warrantless searches has been decided long since. There is no reason to discuss it further here in the penalty phase of the investigation.
Pam says
I believe the vast majority of section 8 housing recipient’s are in need and complies with the law. BUT to say you will not have unannounced compliance checks is just plain ignorant. The whole point is to be sure their are no drugs or dealer, felones or other people who do not belong their. It is laughable. If you make an appointment of course you’ll find everyone in compliance because you gave them time to clear out. Really! Vouchers are a hand up not a hand out! No one should be homeless, but they make that choice when they cheat. Color should not be the issue ever!
Tim Scott says
Hey, homeowners might be drug users or dealers. How about some unscheduled compliance checks at your home? I take it the constitutional protections you think other people don’t deserve are something you would waive for yourself in the interests of “good order,” right?
thenerveofpeople says
Us home owners can do what we want you can’t compare our home where we pay mortgage taxes insurance water trash while section8 participants pay 37$rent 29$lights and 40$gas they don’t own the home they are getting housed through the government so therefore they should be bust in on at any moment I’m black so don’t go trying to pull the race card on me I feel like everyone with section8 should be happy with their 20$rent I wish I had section8 so I could save money lmao I wouldn’t have to pay for gardening plumbing electrical hazards but I’m not dependant on the government and if I was I Damn sure wouldn’t be complaining so I could have unauthorized people and drugs in my home smh [removed] section8
Tim Scott says
Sorry, could you please point out where in the constitution it says that the rights it guarantees only apply to homeowners?
I don’t care if you are pink with orange spots, you don’t get to pretend the constitution is applied in a pick and choose fashion that suits you. Rights are rights for everyone, not just the privileged.
Claire says
Individuals who cheat the system are not only ripping off the taxpayer, they are depriving a deserving person a place in the program.
Me says
Your tax dollars dont pay home owners mortgages. Unfortunatley, there are those who take advantage of the system. So if ensuring that those who apply for public assistance dont violate the rules that are in place to protect it, then unannounced compliance checks should be allowed. That being said, that doesn’t excuse the mistreatment of those being searched. Voucher holders and their personal property need to be handled with respect.
Tax Payer says
Yeah, but i pay taxes to keep the government out of MY property, and i pay them on time. There is no excuse. If you own something, then you have that right to say it is private. If you don’t pay the assessor for land tax, then you own Jack! You are a bleeding heart, probably using a section 8. You are a joke.
Nonsense says
DAVIDG….. great way to be part of the problem. White female here…. on sec8. Law abiding citizen, no drug using or selling, no stealing, no begging, gives to charities and helps underprivileged in other ways since obviously I don’t have much $ to give BUT knows my fellow humans are worth helping. You talking crap about other races ,and don’t get me wrong I’m totally against illegals in this contract and having access to programs that are for citizens of this country, is totally irresponsible and inciting hate and racism.
Nonsense says
Seriously!? Denied for sec 8 oooo let’s jump on the bandwagon of those who feel offended by fairness.
It’s BS that the sec 8 program can’t share info with the sheriff’s.
Sec 8 should be more heavily regulated and this is from someone who receives help from them. It’s all these ghetto law breakers and abusers (of EVERY race) that makes me have to bite my tongue when ppl talk crap about sec 8 recipients just because there are more of us law abiding and responsible participants we all have to feel the shame of being lumped together in a group of troublemakers. Sec 8 is not hard to qualify for OR to maintain responsible involvement in. Meet the financial requirements and take pride in where you live. How hard is it to fill out a few papers once a year and let someone in to make your not destroying the house and your landlord is making all repairs they are by law required to make.
I totally understand the frustration of many in this community as I too am frustrated by the way it’s being abused and the people that have no concern for their fellow citizens or the law. And in my opinion this lawsuit and this whole situation is stupidity.
You don’t want the cops at your house? Guess what…. don’t break the law or hang out with people that do!
Yes there are isolated incidents where the law is wrong and innocent people get mistaken or even wrongly accused when they are totally innocent of anything. But there are way more times when guilty people get away with crimes then the opposite. And I’m so sick that our society has turned into a majority with the mindset of entitlement and of being offended.
Tim Scott says
You don’t want the cops at your house and you think “don’t break the law or hang out with people who do” should be sufficient to make that happen…
Guess what, that is what this lawsuit is about. People having cops rolling through their houses like a mongol horde on the pillage WITHOUT any legal controls like warrants, or suspicion of a crime, or any of the constitutional protections applying that make what you say should happen really happen. If the cops had been able to say “Yeah, we obeyed the law. We got warrants when we invaded people’s homes,” there wouldn’t BE any lawsuit. But the criminals in this situation had badges and guns, and there was no way “not hang out with them.”
Jennifer says
I feel the entire program should be scrapped! It does not help the families in need truely. Either make it a elderly benefit age 68 and over that truely need it or get rid of it.
Tim Scott says
If you are going to suggest to people that they would be better off homeless you might want to establish some credibility by trying out homelessness for yourself. Have fun.
Claire says
When you sign up for Section 8, you must agree to the terms written out for you. Very specific terms that you put your signature on, to agree to those terms. Because it is a federal program, and you fail to keep the terms written out, that you have signed, then you have broken the written agreement. That simple; your fault for taking advantage of a good thing. You’re out, next one please.
AverageJoe says
Exactly!
Tim Scott says
There is nothing in that agreement that says anything about the standard legal requirements for inspection of rental properties not applying just because you are on section 8. No one can demand entry to your home unannounced, no matter who you rent it from or how your rent is paid. That’s the law.
The county and city of Lancaster chose to violate that law. That’s why they got sued. The local police, instead of enforcing the law, or even informing the county and city that what they were doing was in fact a crime, decided that it looked like fun and they wanted to play home invasion as well, which is why they got sued.
For someone who always speculates that I must be a criminal because I don’t agree with every draconian suggestion some fascist might make, you are surprisingly forgiving towards these particular miscreants. Why is that Claire? Badge envy?
gerard says
Well said Tim Scott.There but for the grace of God go I.
Claire says
Adding words to my comment that I did not say, Tim. I did not say anything about using gestapo tactics, you did. There is nothing in the Constitution that says you have the right to defraud the Federal Assistance program, Tim. Because I don’t have hate in my heart doesn’t mean I have badge envy. What foolish, immature words Tim. People that use deception to get on a federal program, purposely ripping off taxpayers, make it difficult for deserving people to use this program.
Tim Scott says
You’re right Claire, you DIDN’T say anything about “using Gestapo tactics.” Why is that, since that is what the lawsuit in the article is about? Why is it that you want to talk about ME, or people on section 8, or your own random views, rather than talking about the “Gestapo tactics” that are, in fact, the issue here? Why not talk about what did, in fact, lead to a massive judgement against the LACSD, federal oversight of the reforms the LACSD so desperately needs, and their total loss of credibility in the community?
Since you speculate wildly about me all the time, and I laugh at you for it, I am not going to speculate about you. I strongly suggest though that you consider how many people reading this page are guessing about your employment and whether your constant defending of the LACSD no matter what they do reveals anything that limits your credibility in the matter.
*** says
Sorry Clair but you cannot sign away your constitutional rights.
Tim Scott says
Clair doesn’t want to sign away HER rights, she just doesn’t care about anyone elses.
marcy says
I think the program should really check into the people receiving sec.8 vouchers. People that apply for jobs need a back ground check or life scan. That is not considered discriminating to applicants. Then why can’t they do the same to people applying for section 8 housing. Have them checked out first before receiving a voucher. If the people want it bad enough, like people wanting jobs bad enough. Have the people do a life scan before and see if they qualify to get these benefits. If they have a clean record, there is no problem. Too many people cheating the system and the honest needy people are suffering for the acts of the cheaters.
Jennifer says
‘re:confused
When I applied I had no place to go. That was in 1995 my son is now 21yrs, I was a single mom at the time. Duringing those years I was homeless with 3 children, low income apartments had a 5yr waiting list. I signed up, nothing ever went anywhere with that. Since I was on the waiting list for section from my first son , while I was homeless with three children I called up and tried to get my application fast track, nothing… All this time went by and I kept hearing from section 8 recipients that unless your black you won’t be getting any assistance. I am a US citizen Latino, I never saw any help. :/
do I have a lawsuit??? Because I am not black, just Hispanic. And the AV section housing dept discriminated against mlmy family…
Thank god things worked out and I didn’t ended up homeless longer!!!!
REMREMREM says
What a joke. That 2 million dollars is coming right out of the tax payer’s pocket. Yes, you and me are paying for this.
Now our police here will have problems dealing with all the problems the Section 8 housing brings into the AV. Now their hands are tied. Everyone better expect crime from drugs, prostitution, robberies and the like to go up the in AV without the cops being able to manage the trash the section 8 houses.
CAP'N LANCASTER says
There goes Ole Rex whinin about the government Pursuin a witch hunt on Lancaster. After you done go’d say you was goin to war agin Section 8 what did you expect them to do Ole Rex? If you could just shut your big fat bout every once in a while maybe things could get fixed around here’s without costin is no $2 million dollars!
Confused says
Well I am a white female and was denied section 8,should I consider to file a lawsuit too? Hmmmm
native says
No. You are not an African American. You are a European American, BIG DIFFERENCE! But hey, remember all white people have enough already!
-“White” guy
Tim Scott says
Your chances of demonstrating that you were denied due to your race are zero. Mostly because the chances that you were denied due to your race are zero.
DavidG says
As a white female you go to the back of the bus. In the AV as in most areas Sec 8 is reserved primarily for blacks and illegal aliens. Hate to say it and it is what it is..
We are in the Age Of Obama.
Mike says
What exactly is “The Age of Obama?
Mr fed up says
This whole program has generational families, just living off sec 8 nd food stamps. Nobody wants homeless people “Tim Scott” the program needs to be eliminated and restructured for disabled, veterans, and seniors in front of the line
The Truth says
Agreed…Put the “VETS” first (all colors and creed) !!!! and seniors…not the parasites.
thenerveofpeople says
And strictly for people with jobs whose still struggling it should be mandatory for people to have or get a job also it needs a time limit people are too comfortable with section8
Grrrrrrrrr says
I totally agree !!!!! Im disabled and I cant get anything and about to lose my house waiting for SDI for 2 yrs. Seems the only way to get help is to get knocked up then you got it made and dont have to ever work and the more kids you have the more money you get every month and
and for 18 yrs with a bigger house with swimming pools, free lawn service and water……The welfare system has been abused for too long and needs to capped . The ‘Welfare to Work Program’ was working and limited you to 1 kid they would help u with any after that the government wouldnt pay for, when Obama took office 1st thing he did was scrap that program saying there werent even in jobs. Now u can have as many kids as u want and us working class people are paying for it. Not fair ! The goverenment needs to give them condom vouchers ! We see first hand out here what ethnic groups are fully taken advantage of the welfare system and have for decades . Sorry, but it is what it is, they eyes dont lie. If you cant afford to have kids you SHOULD’NT HAVE THEM ! Section 8 should be for the elderly disabled, and our vets, not for these people having all these kids as a way of income. Section 8 has destroyed our once beautiful valley and lowered our property values dramactically. I will never see substantial equity in my house again which was my retirement investment. AV has become a dumping ground for section 8 welfare recipents and it is only going to get worse ! This is the new Watts. 200 thousand more are expected to get dumped here for all over. WTH !!!! Im sooooooo sick of people yelling “discrimination” with NAACP Org coming to the rescue filing all these lawsuits for monetary gain. Wheres us working class rights supporting all these people ?
thenerveofpeople says
Obama has nothing to do with who gets approved or denied section8 it was around before him so let’s not blame Obama
thenerveofpeople says
I think it depends on how much money yo make if you’re low income and was denied you should file a complaint but the best thing going is renting to own
Lady Liberty says
Mike, The age of Obama is lies, cover ups, deception, denials, over riding the constitution of the United States, socialism, wealth redistribution and racism just to name a few. More people on welfare than ever in our history. The highest national dept than all other Presidents put together. He has sold out our country and people need to wake up before its to late.
William says
Lady Liberty is with the party of the nutjobs like Donald Trump so she has to write nonsense to distract from that.
Mike says
Lady Liberty you make a lot of allegations, yet no real examples…basically Faux News talking points. The national deficit has been greatly reduced under Obama. Goggle it—the truth is out there. i could go on, but it would be a waste of time.
William says
@Mike
You got that right ’bout Lady Liberty. She and her ilk aren’t the least bit ashamed of repeating mindless nonsense from fox ‘news’ as though it were the gospel.
The more she and her ilk talk, the more it helps Democrats win the White House as Independents read that stuff from fox and her and head the other way.
The GOP is a royal mess this time around and worse than in 2012 which was a circus with Michele Bachman, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich and the assorted wannabees. After they went for everyone else, at ‘last call’ they settled on Mitt whom even they didn’t like from the start. What a party.
George Bush set the bar so low for being elected president that any republican who is a citizen and at least 35 years old must think “Well, if W can be president, why not me?”
It’s as though no intelligent republican even considers running this time around, because there aren’t any in the lineup so far. Even ol’ Jeb is stumbling and fumbling his way through each week and he won’t get any smarter by next year. Stupidity is in the Bush gene pool.
I wonder if Donald Trump is Lady Liberty’s favorite for now. She seems easily influenced and willingly ignorant. Is that redundant?
thenerveofpeople says
It depends on how much money you make if you’re low income with children you should call and file a complaint
John Smith says
This is only going to further negative backlash from non voucher residents, who seem comfortable blaming everything wrong on section 8. Meanwhile I live next door, across the street, and around the corner from drug dealers, gang members, car thieves, meth addicts, and white supremacist who own their homes, but Im certain when things catch up to them, residents will still find.a way to blame section 8.
Meanwhile residents are doing exactly what they did many.years ago. This place crashed, people couldn’t sell their homes, left them to depreciate to the point where section 8 was the only option left because no one is paying over a grand a month on these old ass houses made for two old people with swamp coolers that don’t even work. Smh..section 8 is no ones dream. You’re limited in your financial growth because once you start making a certain amount they cut you off, and you really don’t want to live off of the little money you’re required to make to receive the voucher. You’re better off with roommates and saving as much as possible because even on section 8 after rent, bills, food, gas, household expenses, you really don’t have much to save. If you aren’t disciplined it can become a low income trap.