[notaustinpowers]

I've also lived in an area that seemed to have reduced this problem by a huge factor. I lived in a community of 150 townhomes where 50% of them were Section 8 and the other 50% were privately-owned. Due to how the community was built, you could never tell which units were which.

I was able to have a 3bd/2.5ba 1,200sqft townhome for only $1,200/month. I think there was only 1 shooting in the 3 years I lived there. Yeah there was noise, but it was also a college town so that's unavoidable in the area.

It's an idea that I felt worked very well, and I really wish more cities would try it out for semi-dense housing solutions.

[NonEUCitizen]

Where is this egalitarian place with 50% section 8 and 50% not, but built so "you could never tell which units were which?"

[notaustinpowers]

A community in North Charleston, SC named Horizon Village.

North Charleston (in general) is considered an unsafe area, but this community was built to battle the stigma against Section 8 housing that is very prevalent in the Charleston area. After I moved out they've continued to build out more privately-owned homes in the community. Back in 2018 rents were around $1,200 for a 3bd, but the privately-owned homes are now renting for over $3k for 3bd, and starting around $400k for sale. While the Section 8 housing is still operating as it normally does for the area with reduced costs.

It's helped to revitalize the area (take a look at Park Circle just north of the community), while ensuring that further gentrification and displacement doesn't occur like it did in the downtown Charleston Westside neighborhood.