HOUSING SECURITY

A Section 8 Memoir

Are you curious about how Section 8 housing transformed Times Square and helped countless families, and want to discover my recommendations for expanding this vital program?

Carol Lamberg was Executive Director of the Settlement Housing Fund from 1983 until she retired in February, 2014. She had worked on the staﬀ of Settlement Housing since its inception in 1969.

Before that, she was Vice President of Roger Schafer Associates, housing consultants, and in that capacity worked for the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, Knickerbocker Hospital and Settlement Housing Fund, among others.

Hi, I'm Carol

What is Housing Security?

This book delves into the profound belief that housing is a fundamental human right and examines the significant strides made in the United States to address homelessness, particularly through the Section 8 program. Established in 1974 as a revision of the Housing Act, the Section 8 program provided federal funds to help households afford rent in existing housing and offered assistance to developers for creating new or renovated affordable housing. As an advocate for the program since its inception, I proposed a successful amendment allowing large families to pay only 15 percent of their income for rent.

The book begins with a brief history of earlier housing programs and discusses President Nixon's housing moratorium, which led to the study that ultimately established Section 8. One chapter highlights the effectiveness and productivity of Carla A. Hills, President Ford's Housing Secretary. A compelling case study showcases how Section 8 supported performing artists, contributing to the revival of Times Square in Manhattan.

Further chapters analyze the program's costs and budget, and scrutinize President Reagan's unfortunate changes to the program. The book also includes brief interviews with seven Section 8 tenants from New York, Washington State, and Florida, providing personal insights into the program's impact. The final chapter summarizes my recommendations for expanding and improving the current Section 8 program.