There should be no opposition against what neighborhood a person can live in. People should live wherever they want to.
In other words, I should be able to live in Southeast, Northwest, Northeast or Southwest, Washington D.C. Nobody should say short people or fat people are not wanted, because who are you to judge?
I really don’t understand why people in rich areas don’t want people with lower income to move to better housing. If your house or apartment is paid for and you keep up the maintenance to the standards and codes, you should be good, because no kind of discrimination or prejudice is right.
The government has standards. First you have to apply for housing assistance. Then you’re put on a list. Then you have to go to class to learn what you can and can’t do with your voucher for housing. You also have to prove you are eligible to receive subsidized housing. For example, you have to have limited income.
The government is the people. They do what we say should be done. They don’t just give you money to get housing! You have to show a need.
Say you have two children and your weekly income keeps you at the poverty level. Social service agencies frown upon letting kids over the age of 10 sleep in the same room with you. You can’t afford a two bedroom apartment or house; that is a big burden. So you have to sleep in the living room or kitchen, and you have limits.
Then if you are fortunate to get help through an affordable housing unit or voucher, you have to live up to the government’s standards to keep a place to live. Along with making sure your part of the rent is paid on time, they check if it’s clean, safe, and well-maintained. If you or family is involved in any criminal action, you might be kicked out.
Things like that don’t happen to people who don’t get housing assistance. If they want their grass to grow high, they can let it. If someone comes to visit and stay a month, they can — but not when you are getting help from the government.
When you get help, people are thankful and want to cooperate. They want a chance to live better in a nice place to raise their family, or be able to sleep without worrying about crime. They love feeling it’s their home, and they want to keep it.
If only people who oppose knew how grateful and blessed they feel to have a home. I don’t think they would object to people moving in who are on vouchers or affordable assistance housing.
If I could propose a new law it would be that you cannot protest against someone because they don’t have money.
Jacqueline Turner is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.
