My column today might bother some people, but I hope they pause and think about the growth issues that Smyrna is going to go through. There is not enough affordable housing for lower income people in Smyrna. Just look at the cost of houses.
I specifically brought up a neighborhood that united to keep out the "poor" and "huddled masses" that might be brought in with section 8 housing.
Yes Smyrna is a nice town, and Smyrna is a costly town, and yes Smyrna is going to have to find places for low income housing that is NOT government subsidized. It is possible you know. The Imperial Gardens is getting 1.2 Million dollars of stimulus money in Smyrna for public housing and that could be part of the problem. Whenever you hear of poor and trouble it normally has a connection with government housing such as public housing, projects, or section 8 housing, so funding more public housing might not be for the best.
Instead funding housing do you feel there is a way the government can make it that low income housing can be made and it somehow fit in with an affluent community like Smyrna. That seems hypothetical, but it's one we need to look at. Smyrna is growing in all areas....including its poor.
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18 comments:
I feel that if you on any public asst. you should only be on it for a brief period. I know this young female that live at Imperial Gardens and she is too lazy to get out anf find work. this upsets e because we as tax payers are paying her way and her rent. I thought at one point in time that people that had Governemnt help was only to be on it for 2 years? place like this only pose a problem and crie near the areas. I know some will think I am being crazy for saying this but its what I feel. Free loaders shouldnt be able to freeload but for a small amount of time.
the stimuls money should go for something better than to put up people that dont want to work and are lazy.
I personally don't have a problem with section 8 housing... If done properly.
You see, the problem with the projects is that they just took poor people and surrounded them with other poor people. There was no opportunity to learn the skills needed to be a successful individual. In a perfect world, you would take the poor people and distribute them out into communities with people who have been more successful with their lives...
... but therin lies the problem with Section 8. For example, entire parts of Lake Forest Estates in LV are composed of nothing but section 8 housing. Instead of poor people integrating with successful people, we're just moving the projects. Some of the contributors over on thisislavergne.com have pointed out that there are no restrictions on how many section 8 vouchers are allowed in any given area. So a lot of these new houses still being built in La Vergne have already been bought by people who will rent them out to section 8 tennants.
Again, my problem isn't with people who are struggling to make it in their lives, my problem is with simply moving the projects from Nashville to Rutherford county. And as I've said before, La Vergne's problems will eventually be Smyrna's problems.
BTW, one more point - I don't personally consider Smyrna to be an expensive town, not when Nolensville, Brentwood, and Franklin are just a stones throw away. If you want the Smyrna ammenities without paying the cost of Smyrna's housing, La Vergne is a great alternative.
I lived in Imperial Gardens from age 8 to age 15, back in the late 80s and early 90s. My mom was single, worked a very low paying job, and did not receive any child support from my father. After eight long years of living in 'the ghetto' my mother was able to get a subsidized mortgage and purchased a home that she still owns today.
I haven't been back to Imperial Gardens since I moved so long ago, and now (grown) live in a much more 'affluent' part of Smyrna. While I haven't forgotten where I came from, I'd prefer to not have section 8 in my neighborhood. I'm sure this feeling is shared with my neighbors...
Do I think that I'd be as successful had I stayed in subsidized housing than if I hadn't? Probably. It's all about the decisions you make. But as Mark mentions, if there was a limited allotment for such services, my family would have been homeless.
What was the Stimulus monies being used for at Imperial Gardens? Another Gov't giveaway and more debt left for my grandchildren.
I think that if you can't afford to live here you shouldn't.
The problem is when someone tries to build housing so low income people can live here the NIMBY people lose their minds.
Yes, hello I have a few views to share for you more educated people then myself. My husband and I are current residents at Imperial Gardens and I feel the need to set a few facts straight. I understand how some people may feel that there tax money going to government housing is a waste because I myself have observed several drug addicts, criminals, and lets just say not very good people come a go out of these apartments but I believe that the main “case” is to help. And even though these people do pass through from time to time I still believe that this place is trying to help. My main concern is the fact that it seems not to be always helping the right people. As one of my neighbors is a single mother yes but she has a some what good job and has a brand new 2009 car that she bought after moving into these apartments. This isn’t the only one of my neighbors whom has acquired expensive things sense I have lived here. My mother is a single mom that has gotten laved off this passed year and has applied to live here and was told that before her application could be processed that she had to pay a 3 year old Comcast bill and a bill from a 30 check that bounce at papa johns… Now I am just wondering how do they expect people in need in true need to reserve the help that they need with them making stupid demands like that. My mother whom has lived in the same apartment for over 6 years and whom has no criminal record someone that truly just needs some help when it is so offend given to the misfits of this world. I also believe that the problem is not with the government and them helping but with the people whom run these establishments those whom decide who stays and who goes. This is just the views of an insider speaking someone whom probably knows more about the reality of this “problem”…
I'd like to know if anyone knows about any programs in the Smyrna community to help the poor learn job skills. I'd love to offer my time to teach basic computer skills, typing, etc.
The public library offers classes on basic computer skills. Contact them and ask if they would like your volunteer help. Also the boys and girls club might also be a place to offer help to youth needing those skills as they enter the market.
What authority regulates Imperial Gardens. That is what I would like to know. I would like to find out more information, as a previous post stated, of how they can bring into question old bills that I have not paid that have NOTHING to do with my housing before then can go forth with my application. This makes no sense to me at all.If I had the money to pay off these old debts, why would I be applying for low income housing. Like the previous poster I have no criminal record, a clean rental history and am a single mom. Any info, anyone could provide on whom it is that regulates or makes the rules for entry into Imperial Gardens would be appreciated.
http://www.smyrnahousingauthority.com/
This is the gov agency run by the city that runs Imperial Garden. They also enforce the rules. As for who makes the rules I'm not sure.
Thanks
Checking into this and it is not actually the Smyrna Housing Authority that regulates Imperial Gardens. It is the TN Housing Development Agency. Just an FYI
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