by Susan Beagle

City Manager, Judy Gilleland, reviewed some points about Section 8 housing.  She believes it is the government’s responsibility to provide housing for those in need.  City Council is reviewing how Middletown’s Section 8 housing is administered, not whether or not it will be provided. 

Middletown is one of only two cities in Ohio which administers its own Section 8 housing.  The administration of Section 8 housing is complex and neither City Council nor staff currently takes an active role in the administration of this program. 

She outlined three choices for the future administration of Section 8 housing in Middletown.  1) Leave it as is.  2) City Council and staff taking an active role in the administration. 3) Transfer the administration of Middletown’s Section 8 housing to an agency with expertise in this field.  Two agencies in the area have expressed interest in taking over the administration of Middletown’s Section 8 housing program.