11:24 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 11, 2006

By QUITA CULPEPPER / KVUE News

KVUE News

Some 5,000 people lined up Tuesday for the city's Section 8 housing wait list.

Everyone dreams of living in safe, affordable housing. But for thousands of Austin and Travis County families, that dream can't become a reality without the government's help.

That's why many are lining up in East Austin for a chance to be part of Austin's Housing Authority Section 8 program.

They are lined up at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, where some have been waiting for hours.

This is the first time in five years the city has opened up the Section 8 housing wait list.

The line started forming early Monday afternoon. By 7 Tuesday morning, close to 5,000 families were out there, waiting to apply for Section 8 housing.

The program allows families to rent a house duplex or apartment. They pay approximately 30 to 40 percent of their income toward rent, while the government pays the remaining balance directly to the landlord.

"They can live where they like, anywhere throughout the city of Austin and Travis County, so it's a very desirable program," explains Lisa Garcia, Austin Housing Authority.

Many of those who waited overnight to apply say it's a chance for them to find safe, affordable housing.

"It means a breakthrough. It means we're gonna be moving forward and having a place to live without having to worry about things like Medicaid or anything like that. God blessed us through this program," says applicant Erica Bell.

Many applicants will be on the waiting list as long as three or four years before they are eligible.

The housing authority will take applications through 4:30 Tuesday, as well as Wednesday and Thursday.