WE'RE COMMITTED TO DISMANTLING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AND INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY TO LONG-LASTING HOUSING SOLUTIONS
BECOME A BOARD MEMBER
Are you interested in making a difference through board leadership? The Board welcomes members from various professional backgrounds who are passionate about housing justice. Our goal is to be a diverse organization that is representative of our community. We believe that diversity and inclusion in our organization are critical to our success. Open Communities will not tolerate discrimination or harassment. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity organization. Most important is your commitment and passion to our mission.
Do you want to volunteer with Open Communities?
Open Communities seeks enthusiastic volunteers who want to partner with us to make a positive, meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
Our volunteer opportunities range from ongoing projects and tasks to assisting with one-time events. Whether you're interested in advocacy, research, or something else, and no matter your background or expertise, there's a volunteer opportunity for you at Open Communities. We welcome your unique contributions with open arms.
Are you ready to make a difference? If so, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form below to get started.
VOLUNTEER
HOUSING TESTER
Do you want to become a Tester with Open Communities?
What is a Housing Tester? "Testers" are people who pose as potential renters or homebuyers in various real estate situations to determine whether unlawful discriminatory housing practices are taking place. When we do uncover evidence of discrimination, our staff may provide direct advocacy to housing providers or demand letters, file complaints with administrative agencies, or work with attorneys to bring other legal action. Our staff provides training to local community members so that the people who face discrimination the most know their rights and how to exercise them.
Becoming a fair housing tester is a powerful way to ensure civil rights are being upheld in your community. When community members experience discrimination in the housing market, they can turn to Open Communities for help. Open Communities can investigate allegations of discrimination through fair housing testing, interviews, legal research, and other methods.
Are you passionate about housing justice and want to take action?
Open Communities works to advocate for policies that reflect our mission to create more inclusive neighborhoods by ensuring everyone has equal access to housing.
We champion the Fair Housing Act’s mandate to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing, which compels our cities and state to replace segregated and unequal patterns of living with just, inclusive, and integrated communities.
We hold local governments accountable for this goal by providing input on processes like local landlord/tenant laws, implementing affordable housing programs, zoning ordinances, community development projects, and other relevant issues.
We also work with partner organizations and impacted leaders to enact laws that move us closer to equity and repair.
POLICY/ ADVOCACY
PARTNERSHIP
Are you interested in partnering with us?
Corporate sponsorship/co-facilitate workshop:
Are you interested in providing education about housing stability? Please reach out with ideas. Topics may include but are not limited to legal rights, fair housing, financial literacy, homeownership, tenant and rental rights, older adult services, disability rights, mortgage lending education, and credit education.
Community Partnership
We are always looking for new ways to collaborate to support those seeking housing stability. Please reach out to discuss ways we can work together to fight housing injustice and build a partnership.
Do you want to make a financial impact?
Your donations make a big impact! With your support, Open Communities can:
• Prevent homelessness for families at risk of eviction.
• Promote homeownership to shrink racial wealth gaps.
• Assist older adults facing foreclosure, or other issues, to age in place.
• Secure reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
• Educate immigrants about their Fair Housing rights to create more housing stability.
• Inform landlords about their responsibilities under Fair Housing laws.
• Create community awareness of modern housing discrimination and how to find remedies.
• Fight to make our neighborhoods more affordable, accessible, and welcoming for all.
DONATE
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Interested in a job or internship? We are always looking for talented people to join our fight for housing justice. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our community at all job levels. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Open Communities will not tolerate discrimination or harassment. Open Communities is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.
