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

This year, Evanston's City Council is considering ways to upgrade the current RLTO, the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance. The RLTO is the law that sets the fundamental rights and responsibilities for both landlords and tenants in Evanston. It establishes rules such as: the amount landlords can charge for security deposits what they can and cannot write in their leases how much notice landlords must give for rent increases or non-renewals of someone's lease which repai

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 of fighting for fair housing on Chicago's North Shore. This post explains why and our future plans

Redlining still exists - but now it is digital redlining. What is digital redlining, and how is Open Communities fighting it?

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

Learn about Cook County's Just Housing Amendment (JHA) and how it impacts housing providers and people with criminal records.

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

Open Communities New Fair Housing Associate on his new role and what is important to know about fair housing right now.

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

One of our newer housing counselors, Kayla Williams, explains what a housing counselor does, how she found her way to Open Communities,...

How Open Communities plans to enforce fair housing laws in 2022. Written by Fair Housing Department Director Chris Riehlmann.

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

Mary Ellen Ball says goodbye to Open Communities and recaps her time with the organization.

Open Communities & Connections for the Homeless are partnering on an eviction prevention program.

Open Communities launches a new eviction prevention program for justice-impacted people.

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.

The Open Communities staff gathered in person for the first time in many months, thanks to Covid-19, to make plans for the coming year.