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Sounds like a good plan to me...
Even after an hour hunched over paperwork, signing her name to various forms, Jonelle Simmons was upbeat about moving out of Gilbert Manor and into a place of her own.
After five months in the public housing complex, "it's time," she said.
Ms. Simmons, 26, was among about 80 residents who showed up Monday to meet with Augusta Housing Authority staff on the Section 8 housing waiver.
Gilbert Manor residents were told in August that the authority was going to move to sell the complex so that it could be used to expand the Medical College of Georgia. That permission was granted in late December, and residents were notified last week that they would have 90 days to move.
After individual consultations, 112 residents have requested the Section 8 waiver, which can pay rent in houses and apartments in the private market. The 112 make up about 43 percent of the 259 families still living in the 278-unit complex. The housing authority will follow up with those who requested vouchers but didn't show up Monday, housing authority Executive Director Jacob Oglesby said.
The residents would pay 30 percent of their income and would receive help with rent and utilities that could not exceed all together $640 for a one-bedroom unit or up to $1,013 for a four-bedroom unit, according to the housing authority.
Though a large number of public housing residents are going into the private market at one time, Mr. Oglesby said he was sure there was enough housing to accommodate them.
The residents spent about an hour filling out paperwork and hearing about the differences between the voucher program and public housing.
"It's a lot," said Ms. Simmons, her head bent over forms.
Though their rent and utility costs will still be based on income, they could have to pay a much higher security deposit up front, and the program doesn't cover that, said Sirena Rogers, the director of administration for the housing authority.
"I don't want to discourage you from being interested in the Section 8 program," she said. "I just want to be real."
Residents will have 60 days from the time the voucher is issued to find a place, get it inspected by the housing authority, sign a lease and move in, said Pam Holt, an applications specialist with the authority. Residents must stay in Richmond County for the first year, she said.
But "after you've been here a year, you can take it anywhere in the country," Mr. Oglesby said. After a year, the residents can also begin working toward home ownership, as seven families have done in the past 16 months, Mr. Oglesby said.
More than 3,100 families are already using Section 8 waivers in Richmond County, Mrs. Rogers said. That is more than the 2,700 families in public housing in Augusta, Mr. Oglesby said.
Having lived in Gilbert Manor for 13 years, and having spent most of her life downtown, Wanda Turner said she was ready for a change of scenery.
"It's really a good thing," she said.
Reach Tom Corwin at (706) 823-3213 or tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The board of the Augusta Housing Authority will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the board room of the administration building at 1435 Walton Way. Officials with the Richmond County schools and Augusta Public Transportation are expected to attend to answer questions related to the move.
Comments
Sounds like a good plan to me...
In real life, this is a wonderful deal for everyone but the taxpayers. I wonder how many GM residents realize that.
We will see what happens over the next 6 months, take before and after pictures of the new places we are renting. I would assume any damage or unpaid bills will become our (taxpayer) responsibility.
i wish my bills were based off of what i make!
WOW, they get greater advances than we do...Section 8 to put as a rent to own for a downpayment, reduced billings on utilities, and a 4 bedroom place for 1013?? How could they be turned down?? Just one thing though, many of these people have no transportation cause the bus doesn't come to South Augusta, so how will they be able to get any kind of J-O-B?????
J-O-B what that spells? Where my check?
That's where disposible car makers make their money, such as Kia and Hyandai. They sucker them in with cheap low interest rate car during tax refund time.
Gee - look at the pictures - how many old, handicapped people do you see? I see young able bodies with colored hair, jewelry, and nice accessories. Where is MY gas voucher for having to live in a trailer in the boonies because we couldn't afford to live in a house or apartment with both of us working? Why do I have to pay full price for everything? Why do I always get caught behind these same people in the grocery store checkout buying food stamp milk with manicured nails? Where's my discounts? Enjoy the change of scenery. Just makes me ill.
The elderly and the disabled people that have worked for years and PAID their way are the ones that need help, not the people that are still able to work. Most of the disabled people would rather be working, not all of them ,but most of them.
You are so right aintryt , I have a parent that is 80 years old and the goverment offered her $10.00 food stamps, Heck i can give her $10.00 and save 20 for gas in taking her there to fill out all those forms for 10.00. where is the system going, you are correct if you are in the grocery you will always see best dressed young people with the nails and hair up getting that free food. The Goverment is sending this country straight to hell, but lets take care of our young able bodied people first and let the elder people suffer.
All the GM residents have my best wwishes. I hope they make this into an opportunity to better their living conditions. It's not often that we are offered the chance to make a fresh start. Good luck!!
Not trying to be nasty but where are the white women?
Queen..Don't know where the white women are but last week the TV news was interviewing one. If the other persons shown are any indication, she might be the only white, man or woman, living there.
Congratulations to the Gilbert Manor residents but BEWARE. This is just another trap. Yes ask as many questions as you can and make them respond in writing. They are going to give you a choice where you want to live? Your choices will probaby be limited to the area that has had the only increase in Section 8 houses, South Augusta...Barton Chapel and McDuffie Woods areas. Several members of my family lived in public housing for 2 generations...now in section 8. They always had someone to pick up the paper in their yards in public housing, did not have to maintain their yard, and the list goes on. But now, still not doing those things and the landlords have closed their eyes because they only see $$$$ signs. Oh yes GM residents, when repairs are to be made on your new Section 8 home, your landlord will take his/her time..no hurry they are going to get paid anyway. AUGUSTA LET'S GET TOGETHER AND PUT PRESSURE ON THE COMMISSION AND HOUSING AUTHORITY TO MAKE SECTION 8 LANDLORDS AND RESIDENTS ACCOUNTABLE. It is no accident that the gang activity and increase in the crime rate is concentrated in South Augusta.
There are plenty of white, seniors, and others that live in GM. Do you people really think that they want to live in this project? Some of you would'nt last five minutes in GM. I know that some people take advantage of the system, but some of these people have to live in low income apartments. These people are just lucky enough to be in a project that MCG wanted to buy out. The same thing is happening in Atlanta. They are buying out all of the projects and building 500,000 condos on them. I wish all of the residents of GM good luck.
sunset is next on mcg radar. the people should be glad they are on to something better. good luck
Nicole..I know I wouldn't last long in GM. That is WHY I make an effort to have better living conditions. I pet sit to make xtra money so I can buy my own groceries, too.
Why wouldn't the residents be happy to rid themselves of that life?
need to hand out birth control and teach how to keep in there pants and teach them how to WORK and keep a job
Okay, so some people just have a run of bad luck and these are the situations they get stuck in... But what about the people who are just taking advantage because they were raised and taught how to, all the while knowing what they are doing is lazy and flat out wrong... Isn't there something we can do besides ranting about it? I'll sign a petition, hold up a picket sign... doesn't matter to me... I'm tired of people that get something for nothing that don't appreciate it, when good, hard working people like me can't even afford to eat lunch at McDonald's. Now that is something to appreciate...
Lets make those evil landlords accountable. 2 generations??????
Hope2008, who are you to complain. 2 generations of your family in public housing. They should be ashamed. They should ClEAN their own yard and pick up THEIR own trash. Or better yet, do not throw trash on the ground. And for your information the landlord has to pay for repairs out of their own money and are not paid back by Section 8. I am sure there are Section 8 homes all over Augusta but do you think for one minute that a landlord would buy a home in a really nice neighborhood and turn it into Section 8 to be torn up by the quality of people in public houseing. I think not. They will always be the lower quality homes where famileys have worked hard and moved up but kept the older home for rental. Too bad most get torn up and cost the owner more to repair than the rent they receive. They however get to use the home as a tax advantage.
Kelly, I wouldn't live in GM if you paid me. I work and make my own way like most do and have since an early age. Drive and determination is what these people lack and I am too proud to say somebody gave this to me. I can say I earned it, just like they should. (Except for the elderly and cripple). I think you are making up the number of condos being built in Atlanta but if they are they sure are increasing their tax base. Good for them.
I fully understand that white women live in the projects which is why I was asking where they were. Not one picture of the three of white residents. Nicole I have worked everyday of my life to make sure I nor my children will ever have to spend one single day in the projects. I am a single mother and was unemployed due to no fault of mine most of last year and qualified for nothing. Now I find out that I was eligible for section 8 on my mortgage wonder why no one in public service told me about that. No see I was told I made too much money for any assistance so I put on my big girl panties and went and immediatly got a job. I am done paying for dead beats.
HUD says OK, sell. Housing Authority does what it can to get residents moved. MCG ain't wrote no check yet. Look for the political games to begin. It is a shame that MCG can't be trusted to be on the up and up, but this will turn out to be a nightmare. Notice how they keep dangling that Athens carrot as a threat?
Boy am I in the wrong business! My landlord said he was selling the home I rented, and all I got was a 30 day notice. WHERE IS MY CHECK? I have 2 jobs, and never once did it cross my mind to rent a place for 1,000.00. This is highway robbery to the taxpayers of Georgia!
when you move into my neighborhood and i am sure you will don't bring the thugs.gangs and lowlife with you.By the way i am a black male with a wonderful wife and kids who don't want trouble in my subdivision. If you are not going to bring something positve to neighborhood don't bother coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
MCG not only gets what they want with taxpayer money paying for it and then pawns the undesirables in their neighborhoods.
What a deal!
hope you are wrong about that, the landlord even has to repaint the interior of the home once a year ferom the kids coloring them, they tenant has dogs and kids who make the tan carpet black and the LANDLORD has to do these things BEFORE they can get paid.... the repairs are a must and I agree, but becuase the tenant is nasty and cant control their kids the landlord gets punished and I know that for a fact!!! And that same nasty person can complain about holes their kids and boyfriwends put in a wall.... lanlord has to fix it. The only thing you are correct about is they need to make the tenants responsible. If you are nasty and filthy and dont take care of your handout then you shouldn't get one!!!! The landlords eat it!! The situations you may be speaking of must be in a real "hood" or someplace really bad cuz I have worked with a whole lot of section 8 properties in s & w augusta inspectors and complained it wasnt right... they said.. thats the rules!!
Hope2008, most of these residents are in no position to demand anything form anybody... They are getting a free piggy back ride thru life because of people like me and many others who were taught how to work for our living... It sickens me that you think these people should not have to clean their own yards, and better yet should DEMAND something in writing from the Housing Authority, who are the ones providing a basic need such as shelter for them? Gross....
Denali123, you are always on here whining just like patriciathomas. Many of these people have jobs and who told you they are getting food stamps? You are don't know what entitlements anyone is getting, you are just running your fat mouth again. Nothing about living in the projects or on Section 8 is a free ride. Sure, they are not buying their own homes. I think Section 8 is moving toward self responsibility, even with a subsidy. They will have to pay thier own utilities, yard maintenance, and deposits just like the rest of us. People like you and patriciathomas try to make it seem as though they are going to be given a $1000 check to spend at tax payer expense to get their hair and nails did. Something is going to have to happen here if GM is being sold. Maybe you and patriciathomas would feel better if everyone stopped paying federal taxes and just put these people out on the streets? People like you make me sick because you would rather spend tax dollars on whales, dogs, and fish and not people. Go ahead give me the speech about these people can get all these great jobs Augusta has to offer and animals can't apply so it reverse discrimination against animals and white folks.
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