In an economy where prices on rental properties continue to skyrocket while the job market remains sluggish, Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Westwood) has an idea. He’s introduced radical legislation to reform the federal Section 8 low-income housing program, a reform that would force many in need to fend for themselves to obtain housing.   

Bus Riders: Merry Christmas! People who use the Metro bus system for transportation in Cincinnati and Hamilton County are going to have to dig deeper in their pockets beginning Dec. 27. Due to cuts in federal funding, Metro is raising its fares.  

They say when one door closes another opens. I was reminded of that truism last week in Over-the-Rhine. Kris Sommer took me on a walking tour of new housing projects along Vine, Main, Pleasant and Republic streets, many of them developed by the company he works for, Urban Sites. In a former life, Kris was an advertising sales rep here at CityBeat.   

Buried somewhere in President Obama’s stimulus package is $75 billion to help Americans buy homes or stay in the ones they own. It’s called the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, and the White House expects it to offer aide to some 9 million people. If you don’t know much about it, you’re not alone. CityLiving attempts to explain the overwhelming plan in 1,000 words or less…  

Kevin Osborne's interview with Greg Harris, newly appointed to Cincinnati City Council ("At Home on City Council," issue of Feb. 11), included a few incorrect or misleading statements. The article quotes an increase in Section 8 Housing between 1994 and 2004, but methodology and dispersal, not quantity, changed.