FAIR HOUSING INVESTIGATIONS
To root out illegal housing practices, we investigate claims of discrimination and engage in proactive investigations against housing providers. We do this through Fair Housing testing, interviews, and legal research. Contact us if you’ve experienced or have information about a potential incident of housing discrimination.
FAIR HOUSING ADVOCACY + ENFORCEMENT
Open Communities offers one-on-one advocacy with housing providers, support when filing complaints, and connections to legal resources. Our work is deeply involved in policy advocacy around housing issues at a systemic level.
EDUCATION
Through our community outreach and workshops, we educate renters, landlords, homeowners, and those impacted by incarceration about their fair housing rights and responsibilities.
HOUSING COUNSELING + EDUCATION
Open Communities is one of the only housing agencies in the northern suburbs of Chicago that has a Housing Counseling Program certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our HUD-certified counselors provide education to the public and work with individuals to meet their housing goals and needs. Our team helps individuals and families create budgets, identify housing goals, and develop action plans to achieve financial stability for their unique housing needs.
RENTAL COUNSELING
Our team assists renters and landlords in understanding their rights and responsibilities under applicable laws. Open Communities also provides landlord-tenant training to promote long-term stability.
HOMEBUYER PROGRAMS
Open Communities' pre-purchase program provides support with lenders, first-time homebuyer grants, and an overview of the home-buying process. The post-purchase program reviews loans, property taxes, spending plans, and repairs.
FORECLOSURE MITIGATION COUNSELING
Our team works with you to develop a budget and action plan to prevent foreclosure. We take on the work with lenders or loan servicers to find your best options.
REFFERAL NETWORK
If there’s a service we currently can’t provide, we call on our large network of referral partners to support your comprehensive care.
COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, REMEDIES + RESOURCES
Community Navigators will help individuals and communities impacted by incarceration know their rights around Employment, Housing, Education, Civic Engagement, Drivers License, Criminal Records Relief.
HOUSING ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR OLDER ADULTS
Our targeted program for older adults combines outreach, housing counseling, advocacy, education, and referrals to create a comprehensive service set that addresses immediate and longer-term needs, while creating systemic change to reduce future housing barriers for older adults. Our services are tailored specifically for older adults’ unique housing needs.We advocate for more housing opportunities, options, and protections to enable older adults to age in place with dignity in our communities. This includes housing counseling for older adults, education, benefits access, referrals for legal assistance and home repairs, and individual and community advocacy.
Open Communities is located in Evanston, Illinois, and serves the North and Northwest suburbs of Cook County. The map indicates our target area for outreach and services. We can provide services outside of our target service area.
I NEED HELP
HOW WE HELP
Open Communities is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified housing counseling agency, offering housing counseling programs to the community.
Foreclosure Prevention Counseling: Our staff can assist homeowners to navigate in the event of a mortgage default, HOA fee default, and property tax default through assistance with loan repayments, modifications, and other work out options. Our counselors assist homeowners to develop sustainable budgets and receive knowledge on state and federal regulations regarding the foreclosure process.
Rental Counseling: At Open Communities we assist clients with creating budgets that maximize affordability and/or help prepare for a housing transition. We can provide education regarding tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities. Our team is also a part of a robust referral network to provide clients with resources that best meet their needs.
Financial Counseling: Our counselors can assist clients with gaining financial knowledge regarding homeownership, budgeting, debt reduction, and setting financial goals that align with an individual’s housing goals.
Pre-purchase/Homeownership Counseling: Our staff can assist prospective homeowners to understand the homebuying process and responsibilities of homeownership. Counselors will assist clients in creating a household budget to calculate housing affordability and gauge homeownership readiness. We will also assist clients in understanding credit and the role it plays in the homebuying process. Staff can provide referrals to lenders, realtors, and other players in the buying process. Clients that complete our education and one-on-one counseling will receive a certificate that is used by many lenders to grant access to down payment assistance programs and specific mortgage products.
Post Purchase Counseling: Our counselors assist homeowners with budgeting, spending plans, home maintenance, escrow accounts, property taxes, and accessing community resources. We provide information and education to support long-term housing sustainability.
Older Adults Counseling: We assist individuals 50 and older with their housing goals. We can assist with foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgages, and maintaining property taxes. We provide financial guidance on ageing in place and community resources.
Reverse Mortgage Counseling: We assist homeowners, 62 and older, to understand the mechanics of a reverse mortgage and determine if a reverse mortgage is right for them. For clients seeking a HECM Reverse Mortgage, this counseling is required to close on the loan.
Education and Community Engagement: We provide workshops in many housing counseling areas, as well as offering the 8-hour HUD certified pre-purchase education course. Please click here to see our available courses in English and Spanish.
Contact us for help reaching your housing goals.
HOUSING COUNSELING
Open Communities’ Illinois Access to Justice program provides support and education to empower individuals and communities impacted by the justice system. By providing resources and facilitating access, we seek to enhance the overall quality of life for individuals involved. Open Communities plays a vital role within a network of community partners, actively contributing to the dignified reintegration of those directly or indirectly affected by the justice system.
Know Your Rights Education: Our Community Navigator provides information on individuals' rights across six essential pillars: housing, employment, education, civic engagement, driver's licenses, and criminal record relief.
Support and Resources: In addition to education, we also share valuable social service resources within the community and offer guidance to access these resources when needed.
Contact us if you or a family member has experienced the impact of the justice system and or possesses a criminal record, and you are seeking more information about this program.
Funding provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of Welcoming Centers for Refugee and Immigrant Services
ILLINOIS ACCESS TO JUSTICE
We engage in policy advocacy to further fair housing at a systems level. Open Communities is an active member in both statewide and local coalitions to eliminate homelessness, expand housing choice, and further integration. We collect housing stories and organize with our neighbors to impact public policy.
POLICY ADVOCACY
We advocate for the fair housing rights of our clients and the communities we serve.
Education and Outreach: We provide education to housing seekers, housing providers, nonprofits, and local governments on rights and responsibilities. This can mean one-on-one consultations, group workshops, or helpful materials.
Complaint Support: When individuals experience discrimination, we can help file complaints or connect to legal services. We use fair housing testing and other tools to evaluate compliance with the law.
Contact us if you have experienced discrimination or have a tip about a potential incident.
FAIR HOUSING
