Resident Cynthia Johnson says Section 8 change could force her to move; county to investigate

Cynthia Johnson, a resident of Compton, told the board she recently learned her Section 8 voucher "will not pay 0.5 of the rent because of the reform," and that Jackson County had been paying the landlord directly, creating confusion about whether Union County would accept the voucher.

"I recently found out that my section 8 voucher will not pay 0.5 of the rent because of the reform," Johnson said, adding she did not want the county to restart the program but was asking for help and clarity. She said she has lived at 206 East Poplar for the past four years and that the notice has left her worried about having to move.

Board members asked follow-up questions about who sent the notice and when she found out; Johnson said she learned of the notice around July 4 and that calls to Section 8 in Jackson County and to Union County had not resolved the issue. Chair said he did not yet have an answer but pledged to investigate. "Let me look into it and I'll find out," the Chair said.

The exchange did not result in a formal action; the Chair said staff would follow up with Johnson and review whether inter-county procedures or direct landlord payments are affecting Section 8 payments in this case. The board did not set a deadline for a response during the meeting.