The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination due to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. What you don't see on that list but what we see at Open Communities is discrimination against age. Fortunately for our clients, we serve Illinois, and the Illinois Human Rights Act extends federal housing protections to include age (defined as 40 and over). Many of the age-related housing discrimination calls we get are disability-

June is Pride Month , and June 28th is Pride Day in honor of the first Pride march in 1970 in New York City. Fifty-three years later, we still see things like this in the housing context: A same-sex couple asks a realtor to see rental units throughout the city but is only shown rental units in a part of the city known for having many LGBTQ residents.* The leasing manager at a 55+ community rejected a male tenant's request to add his same-sex partner to his lease stating, in w

On Tuesday, May 22, we will be at the Evanston City Council meeting “All Inn” in support of the work Connections for the Homeless is doing at the Margarita Inn . The fight for fair housing is intrinsically linked to the fight for housing solutions for all . We are proud of the work that our partner, Connections for the Homeless, is doing through their Housing First shelter program at the Margarita Inn. Housing first models like the Margarita Inn are proven best practices . L

April is National Fair Housing Month. This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Unfortunately, housing discrimination continues today. It is a persistent problem in Chicago's north and northwest suburbs and across the country. For Fair Housing Month, we asked our Board members why fair housing matters to them and why it should matter to

April is National Fair Housing Month, a time to celebrate the passage of the Fair Housing Act signed 55 years ago on April 11, 1968. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status. We have several workshops and events scheduled throughout the month. Read below to learn how you can participate in our National Fair Housing Month ac

Recently we were excited to see the White House release its Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights to promote fair housing for renters. The administration collected input from people around the country over six months. The participants included tenants, housing providers, legal associations, and advocates. They held listening sessions, roundtable discussions, and stakeholder meetings across the United States. "Over 44 million households, or roughly 35 percent of the U.S. pop

Open Communities celebrates 50 years and presents The Emerging Municipality Award, Spirit of Open Communities Award, and Jean Cleland Award.

Open Communities is part of a settlement with Redfin, expanding access to real estate services in communities of color.

Open Communities was part of a $53 million settlement with Fannie Mae confirming fair housing laws cover the maintenance & marketing of REOs

Cheryl Lawrence, JD, joins Open Communities as CEO. Meet Cheryl and learn why she joined Open Communities.

Interview with Mary Ellen Ball from Open Communities about eviction prevention on WBBM-AM Newsradio.

Open Communities' CEO Mary Ellen Ball talks with WGN-TV about the eviction moratorium expiring and what people should do.

Open Communities' CEO Mary Ellen Ball talks with Fox-32 in Chicago about the eviction moratorium ending and what people need to know.

The Daily Northwestern covers Open Communities' participation in the Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

The Daily Northwestern covers Open Communities' Fair Housing and Reparations Forum.

Open Communities Jasemen Hatcher talks with Evanston Live TV.

Mary Ellen Ball and Jasemen Hatcher of Open Communities talk about evictions on WCPT-AM.

An interview with Jasemen Hatcher, Open Communities' Director of Housing Programs and Education, and the Daily Northwestern.

Read the Evanston Roundtable's article about Open Communities' new workshops for renters, homeowners, landlords, and home buyers.

Listen to WBBM-AM Newsradio's interview with Open Communities' Mary Ellen Ball about the Cook County Rental Assistance Program.