TAMPA, Fla. — Experts say finding Section 8 housing in Tampa Bay remains a challenge as vouchers struggle to keep up with rising rents.
What You Need To Know
- People with Section 8 vouchers say they are still having trouble finding affordable housing
- Officials with the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative say voucher amounts aren't keeping up with skyrocketing rents
- Sharon Calkins said she and her husband have lived in their pickup truck for six months while trying to find housing
- MORE: Read previous coverage
"Right now, the market rate is a lot more aggressive than the voucher," said Antonio Byrd, chief operating officer for the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative. "Since the vouchers have not kept up with the market, landlords tend to want to veer away from the vouchers because they can get more on the market. Especially when you've seen anywhere between 35% to 40% increase in rents — HUD vouchers don't increase that much."
Sharon Calkins said she's experienced that struggle firsthand. Calkins, 56, said she and her husband, Clarence Tucker, 72, came to Hillsborough County earlier this year. She said they lost their Section 8 housing in Lake County when their landlord sold the home they were living in.
Calkins said they heard it might be easier to find housing in Hillsborough, but they've been unsuccessfully looking for a place there since February.
"Oh, my God, It's been a living hell," she said.
Calkins said she and Tucker are living in their Ford F-150 because, despite having a Section 8 voucher, they haven't been able to find a place they can afford.
"Even North Nebraska, where it's more like a lower income community, their one bedrooms are going for, like, $1,100," she said. "But that even said, my voucher amount for me to move in that neighborhood, my voucher's only, like, $975."
Byrd said THHI recommends people in situations like Calkins' utilize resources of the housing authority they're working with. He said they typically have a list of landlords who accept vouchers.
Byrd also suggested that people work with caseworkers to make sure they understand their voucher and can explain what it involves to landlords.
Calkins said she's not sure what's next for her and Tucker. She said she's disabled, Tucker is retired, and what income they have goes towards rental application fees, gas, and a storage unit for their belongings.
"I want to live nice like everyone else does," Calkins said. "I want to be in a nice apartment — I do, or a nice house. I want a landlord to take my voucher."
Calkins said her voucher expires in October.