This page was last updated on October 15, 2013.
Cuts to housing are hurting; Jeffrey Huber; Beaver County Times; October 13, 2013.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“I read with great concern Carl DeChellis’ Oct. 4 letter regarding the housing needs of a vulnerable segment of our population. I have been involved in housing for the disabled since 1975; there have been many positive improvements in providing housing to this population. They are now in jeopardy because of budget cuts.
“The agencies I represent, Supportive Services, Inc./Harbor Point Housing have been fortunate to receive six HUD grants for approximately $1 million per year that provides 64 beds to disabled low-income individuals and families. Their income level is less than the article. Many have no income.
“These programs are on unstable financial ground. These programs need a 20 percent cash match. Beaver County residents are receiving 80 cents on a dollar from HUD. Without the support that we received in the past from local and state social agencies and local county and state government agencies, they could end. We had to return $50,000 in rehab funding from HUD because we did not have the 25 percent cash match. If our programs end, our population will face warehousing in intolerable living conditions.”
[RWC] Readers know I oppose using tax dollars for “charity.” There is nothing compassionate about the government taking from one family’s paycheck to give to someone who didn’t earn it. Compassion is when a family freely chooses to use its own paycheck(s) to help someone in need. Should people in need get help? Of course, but from private charities funded by voluntary contributions, not by confiscated family income.
For those dead set on using tax dollars, consider the following. Mr. Huber wrote, “Beaver County residents are receiving 80 cents on a dollar from HUD” as if it were free money. Mr. Huber failed to note taxpayers are the source of the money the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hands out. So, for every dollar we send to HUD, HUD generously returns 80 cents for this program. Adding insult to injury, we only get that 80 cents if we accept the HUD strings attached plus make up the 20 cents HUD skims off the top of the original $1 we sent to Washington, DC. How about this; we keep the money all U.S. taxpayers send to HUD and use it how we see fit. That way we don’t have to worry about HUD skimming 20%, 25%, or whatever from our tax payments and HUD’s attached strings.
“Everything stated by Mr. DeChellis I agree with especially the economic development aspect. Our agencies are involved in the same activities as HABC but on a smaller scale. HABC opened their doors to our agency in 1992. The partnerships we have developed together have been successful. It would be beneficial to Beaver County if other partnerships could be developed and the current ones maintained.”
[RWC] Translation: Mr. Huber wants more of our family paychecks via taxation.
© 2004-2013 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.