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To the Editor: 

Section 8 refers to a portion of federal legislation administered by the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. It has been providing rent subsidies for low-income people. Tenants generally pay one-third of their income in rent, with the balance subsidized by HUD. The Berkeley Housing Authority works with HUD to administer a tenant-based Section 8 program as well as a public housing program. Of the two types of provisions of low-income housing – tenant-based Section 8 and public housing rentals – the Section 8 provision represents considerably more units for Berkeley low-income citizens and business for the authority. 

Ultimate responsibility for the Berkeley Housing Authority is vested in a BHA board consisting of the mayor, the council members and two tenant representatives. In the past, the two tenant board members have been representative of Section 8, the elderly and public housing tenants. Recently the BHA board changed the wording of its definition and make-up to the extent that “Section 8” is not mentioned, and more importantly, neither tenant representative is stipulated as representing Section 8. The revised city web site BHA description:  

“The Housing Authority is responsible for carrying out the Housing Assistance Voucher and Public Housing Programs for low income Berkeley families. The authority is composed of the elected City Council and two tenant members of the Housing Authority. Tenant members are appointed to the authority by the council for two-year terms. One tenant member must be 62 years of age or older.”   

It seems likewise notable that the minutes and agendas of the Section 8 Resident Advisory Board – but not the Public Housing Resident Advisory Board –  are “missing.” 

Helen Rippier Wheeler 

Berkeley