Mount Lookout residents not 'forced out' by Section 8, could stay

Residents of two Mount Lookout apartment buildings recently purchased by the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) will be allowed to stay until their leases expire, and will receive relocation counseling and benefits.

Responding to an e-mail from one of the building's residents that was forwarded to Cincinnati City Council by Mount Lookout Community Council president John Brannock, CMHA executive director Richard Rust verified that they have indeed purchased the pair of four-flat buildings at 3304 and 3308 Mowbray Lane to be used as public housing, but not as part of the Section 8 program.

Instead, new tenants will be required to earn 80 percent or less of the area median income, or $52,950 for a family of four.

Brannock had expressed concerns about Section 8 housing bringing a criminal element to a street that's only a block away from Cardinal Pacelli Elementary School.

But Rust says that tenants will be forced to meet specific occupancy standards, and won't be considered if they have been evicted from public housing for drug-related activity, are engaged in drug use, have convictions for methamphetamine production, are required to register as a sex offender, abuse alcohol, or owe money to any public housing agency.

Under the federal Uniform Relocation Act of 1970, residents being displaced are entitled to relocation advisory services, a minimum of 90 days to vacate (in this case, following lease expiration), and relocation expenses.

Current tenants can stay after the expiration of their leases if they become certified as eligible for public housing.

Previous reading on BC:
Mount Lookout resident says Section 8 is forcing him from home (2/25/09)