Section 8 was designed for housing choices, but options are limited

necessarily raise program costs because rents could be lowered in other neighborhoods.

“It's a way to give [voucher holders] broader choices about where they live," he said. He also said housing authorities can assist in expanding the geographic scope of the program by making sure they are giving people information about apartments that are in a whole range of neighborhoods.

John and Peter Rooke, brothers who run North Side-based Oakglade Realty that rents some of its 184 units to voucher-holders, say they understand some landlords might be reluctant to participate in the program due to concerns about the required annual quality inspection or misperceptions about whom the program services.

“We see Section 8 as being an asset to the community,” said Peter Rooke.

The program provides a level of economic security for both tenant and landlord, John Rooke said.

“Most of the people on Section 8 are in more precarious employment positions. When their employment gets cut, or if there is an issue where they had to quit the job ... Section 8 is a safety net that keeps them from the street. And it’s a safety net that keeps us from having to pursue legal options to get rent,” until the person gets back on their feet, he said.

“Our desire is to create quality, affordable housing as the foundation to a just and diverse community,” said John Rooke.

Kim Longwell, director of the Housing Choice Voucher at the Allegheny County Housing Authority, said her agency distributes a list of potential available housing at a briefing when people get a voucher, as well as updating their website with information about available apartments. She said they also refer apartment-seekers to the web site pahousingsearch.com, a nonprofit website with upto-date listings.

“Unfortunately, we don't have the staff to counsel them or take them around [to apartment-hunt],” she said.

As for Ms. Robinson, while she was eventually able to find housing in a Wilkinsburg apartment, the process was difficult, she said, from apartments she didn’t consider livable to, being put on waiting lists for other apartments, to an overall demeaning process for voucher-holders.

“When you need help, how people treat you, it just doesn't feel good. It doesn't feel good at all.”