Big changes to Section 8?

[Rob K.]

I have a tenant that is on Section 8 and her lease expires at the end of October. I just received word from Section 8 that the portion of the rent that she pays is almost going to triple for the next lease. The tenant called me saying she can't afford it and Section 8 wants her to move.

I called her case worker and was told that everyone on Section 8 is being downsized. My tenant has 2 kids and a grandchild in a three bedroom house. The worker told me that they want two people in each bedroom, regardless of age or gender. I said, "What if a 40 year old woman has a 16 year old son? What kind of voucher would she get?" She told me that she would get a one bedroom voucher. My tenant is being downsized to a two bedroom. She can stay in the three bedroom if she pays the extra amount, but she might not be able to afford it.

I asked the worker if this is nationwide. She said she wasn't sure. She told me that she is friends with someone who works at a different Section 8 office two miles away and they are doing the same thing. Has anyone else heard of this?