Housing Is a Human Right: Seniors and Section 8

A bull market and a booming economy have contributed to a rapid run-up of real estate prices across the country, particularly so in high tech employment areas like the San Francisco Bay region. Good news? Not for everyone. Many people on fixed incomes, such as the elderly and disabled, are being priced out of the housing market. In the past, these renters depended on HUD's Section 8 subsidy, a voucher plan which can pay up to two thirds of a tenant's monthly rent. Unfortunately, at the same time that rents are skyrocketing and affordable housing is disappearing from the market, our federal government's commitment to Section 8 is wavering (and, to make matters worse, more landlords are refusing to honor the Section 8 voucher). The sad result is that over 200,000 families in California alone face a bleak choice of life in a shelter or homelessness. These aren't irresponsible people, just poor people who have fallen through the cracks, and this program offers an impassioned plea to help them by saving Section 8 and reclaiming decent housing as a basic human right. While the documentary briefly traces the crisis, it's a bit vague on which forces want to end the Section 8 subsidy and why (the press release accompanying the video blames a right-wing Congress and an overly complacent President). Still, this well-intentioned but distractingly low budget video will be useful for political activists and focus groups in the Bay area, though it's not a necessary purchase for most libraries. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)