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A city rebuilds itself with new industry, new energy and new people after a generation of decline. But what happens to those who endured the tough times? Are they lifted up, or pushed out? How can newcomers and established residents build a common vision of progress? Or is creative tension part of what pushes a city to a better future? Here are some of the reports from 90.5 WESA about some of the questions and challenges our city is encountering along the revival road.For more coverage of recovery and revival throughout Pennsylvania, visit our partner, Keystone Crossroads.

Section 8 Vouchers Can Help Low-Income Renters, But Finding Housing Is Difficult

Newsworks

 

Reuben Sumpter has lived in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh for decades. At first he lived in an apartment tower that served low-income people. That high-rise, the East Mall, was demolished. Even in the early 2000s, when the neighborhood’s revival was just starting to show, there were concerns that fewer affordable units would replace the dense high rise.

Sumpter moved to Penn Plaza, another complex in East Liberty that accepted his housing choice voucher. Also known as Section 8, the vouchers help low-income people secure housing by paying a share of their rent in the private market.

Now, the owners of Penn Plaza are redeveloping that property. Sumpter has to be out by the end of February. The most important thing for him as he searches for an apartment is location: he wants to stay in East Liberty. He has Parkinson’s and his doctor is there. The church where he helps out is there, too. 

“I know my place, know my way around,” he said. “It’s very important because people that know me they keep the golden rule … we help each other.”

He’s been searching for nearly three months and so far has come up empty-handed.

Sumpter is not alone. In Pittsburgh, just 25 percent of voucher recipients end up using their vouchers successfully. 

Read more of this reportat the site of our partner Keystone Crossroads