The federally funded Section 8 program may be out of funds for some housing authorities by the end of the year. This financial crisis, is causing low rent families to pay higher rents, and some families may lose their assistance all together. There are hundreds of thousands of people already on waiting lists, lists that will now have an even longer wait. New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority has been forced to cut aid, forcing people to pay more in rent. This was the only alternative to cutting the program all together, says executive director Dean Christon.

There are a few key things attributing to the shortfall in funds. The recession caused more families to lose income, and need assistance. Congress did not provide the funding that was needed to provide for the increasing program costs The U.S. Department of Housing, is using money set aside for emergencies to try and give the programs more money. Unfortunately, this will probably not be enough. Fewer families will be able to get the aid they need. Some frightening facts about how serious this problem has become, -Manchester, New Hampshire has over 10,000 families on their waiting list -There are 19,000 people on a waiting list that could take up to three years in Houston -An eight year waiting list in Washington D.C., with 28,000 families waiting -The New York City Housing authority has 127,825 people on their list Some families, like Cher Salie, have been on the waiting list for three years. Her daughter, Sam has a terminal illness.

Sam who is 16 and weighs just 67 pounds, is able to get around in an electric wheelchair. She depends on a variety of machines to keep her alive. She was given two years to live this spring. Cheri Salie is also going through a divorce and will not be able to afford her home anymore. She currently lives on the third floor and wants to move because of Sam's deteriorating condition. Sam's prognosis does put the Salies at the front of the line, but with no funding, it could be a very long wait. Sandra Henriquez, Assistant Secretary for HUD, has stated she would love to shower vouchers on all the families who need help, but the department’s first priority has to be ensuring that no one loses their voucher. She is confident they will be able to do that, but the waiting lists will not be getting any shorter