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Age Discrimination in Housing – What You Need to Know
The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination due to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and...


Pride Month – Know your LGBTQ+ Housing Rights
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...


Why We Are "All Inn" Support of Connections for the Homeless and the Margarita Inn
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...


Why Fair Housing Matters in Chicago in 2023
April is National Fair Housing Month. This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing...

Open Communities Celebrates Fair Housing Month
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...


How The White House Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights Affects Chicago Suburban Tenants
Recently we were excited to see the White House release its Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights to promote fair housing for renters....


Meet Our 50th Anniversary Award Recipients
Open Communities celebrates 50 years and presents The Emerging Municipality Award, Spirit of Open Communities Award, and Jean Cleland Award.


Open Communities Part of Settlement with Redfin, Expanding Access for Communities of Color
Open Communities is part of a settlement with Redfin, expanding access to real estate services in communities of color.


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


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


Open Communities on WBBM-AM Newsradio Talking about the Eviction Moratorium Ending
Interview with Mary Ellen Ball from Open Communities about eviction prevention on WBBM-AM Newsradio.

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

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


Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program receives over 16,000 applications
The Daily Northwestern covers Open Communities' participation in the Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Evanston, Chicago Leaders Talk Fair Housing and Reparations in Forum
The Daily Northwestern covers Open Communities' Fair Housing and Reparations Forum.

Jasemen Hatcher: The Reality in Housing for Black Evanston
Open Communities Jasemen Hatcher talks with Evanston Live TV.

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

Q&A: Housing, Counseling and Education Director Jasemen Hatcher talks Cook County’s Emergency Rental
An interview with Jasemen Hatcher, Open Communities' Director of Housing Programs and Education, and the Daily Northwestern.

Housing 101 for Renters, Homeowners, Landlords, or Those in the Market
Read the Evanston Roundtable's article about Open Communities' new workshops for renters, homeowners, landlords, and home buyers.

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