Sharee Alexander's life began breaking apart some months ago.

        The young Westwood mother of two underwent a painful divorce and suffered depression. She dropped her classes at Cincinnati State. She gave what energy she had left to her children, full-time work and church.

        Then, two weeks ago, her cleaning supervisor's job was eliminated. She feared eviction.

        Her lifeline: a federal housing voucher that will enable her family to live in a decent neighborhood.

        Just not her current one.

        The Westwood apartment complex her children have called home for three years doesn't accept vouchers. She never had to worry about that until her current troubles began.

        Happily for Ms. Alexander, the owner of a modest, three-bedroom condo in North College Hill is willing to give her — and the voucher that helps pay the rent — a try.

        There aren't enough landlords like him.

        Across the Tristate, experts estimate, only 20-30 percent of landlords are willing to rent to people with housing vouchers. That's the case even though more people are getting vouchers as the government gradually phases out the old Section 8 program that clumped housing projects near downtown.

        More than 9,400 people have vouchers in Hamilton County. Many have gone where the rental stock is plentiful and affordable — neighborhoods like Westwood, Avondale, Bond Hill and East Price Hill.

Unwelcoming neighbors

        Westwood, Cincinnati's biggest neighborhood, has had its fill, though. Some 740 voucher holders, more than any other neighborhood, live there. That's why Westwood Concern, a citizen's group founded partly on a fear of slums, is resisting any more.

        And that's why tenants like Ms. Alexander are no longer welcome.

        “Until Oakley, Hyde Park and Green Township have as (many vouchers) as we have, I don't want to hear it,” says Mary Kuhl, co-founder of the group.

        She has a point.

        Seven of Hamilton County's 92 neighborhoods have no voucher residents at all.

        To be sure, some area rents are too high for voucher users. That keeps the poor out of Mason and Symmes Township, for instance.

        But why such elitism? Why aren't more landlords more open to vouchers?

        Ignorance and racism, says Karla Irvine, executive director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal. Landlords can't discriminate on race, disability or gender, but they're still free to turn people out based on income source.

No heavy paperwork

        Landlords do have to fill out paperwork to get voucher reimbursement. But other requirements aren't any more onerous on landlords than meeting typical building occupancy standards.

        Are there smoke detectors? Is there a working bathroom? Is lead paint a hazard? Are there locks on windows and exterior doors? Are there rats?

        Responsible landlords sail right through the inspections; slumlords need not bother.

        But of course, many haven't bothered with their property, which is why many of Cincinnati's poorest are trying to move out.

        Never fear, neighbors, when poor neighbors move in, says Ms. Irvine. People moving to nicer areas tend to get better jobs, and their kids do better in school. They try to keep up with the Joneses.

        Like Ms. Alexander, who plans to resume school and to find work once in her new home.

        We shouldn't fear these new neighbors; we should welcome them.

        Denise Smith Amos can be reached at 768-8395. Fax 768-8340 or e-mail damos@ enquirer.com.
       

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