Welcome!

The Interfaith Housing Center has been north suburban Chicago's premier advocate for fair and affordable housing since 1972. We foster open communities. It's the right thing to do. And it makes our communities better places to live.

WHAT WE DO:

• Services: We serve individuals who face housing discrimination, foreclosure, and conflict with their landlord or management company. We also provide a Homesharing Program matching people with an extra room with people seeking affordable housing in the northern suburbs.
• Advocacy & Education: Through grassroots organizing, by acting as a resource to local leaders, in hosting workshops and forums, in public advocacy, Interfaith lends support for concerted fair and affordable housing efforts.

Our membership includes scores of local residents and more than 60 civic organizations and congregations. We encourage everyone's involvement, regardless of religious affiliation.

VIDEO: "The Face of Fair and Affordable Housing"
The Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs is pleased to release this video:

The video was debuted September 18, 2008 in honor of Interfaith's 35 years (and counting) of accomplishment. It profiles those assisted by Interfaith's fair housing, Homesharing, foreclosure prevention, and community organizing and advocacy work, with reflections by a founder, Jean R. Cleland.

Highlights!

^New! "The Future of Illinois Education and What We Can Do About It!"
Thursday, May 14th, 7:00 - 9 p.m., New Trier High School, Northfield Campus, Sponsored by United We Learn
We had a packed house for the event! Check out the Photostory of the May 14, 2009 forum.

Listen to interview with Lali Watt for United We Learn and Max McGee on Chicago Public Radio ("North Shore Group Pushes for Research on Education Funding Reform") as a "preview" to that evening's panel on May 14, 2009. More coverage from the Chicago Tribune ("New Trier discussion to focus on future of public education," May 13, 2009).

JOIN "UNITED WE LEARN": United We Learn is a grassroots North Shore campaign that advocates for reasoned, equitable solutions that would no longer put Illinois public school children at a significant disadvantage if they live in low-income communities. Parents, religious leaders, teachers, and Interfaith catalyzed United We Learn to organize support for welcoming hundreds of Chicago students when they came to New Trier High School on September 2, 2008 with State Sen. Rev. James Meeks as part of a school funding protest.

United We Learn

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^New! NEWSLETTER: Read the Interfaith Newsletters!
Get the latest news on Interfaith activities and find out about our progress on local housing issues in the Spring 2009 Newsletter.

^New! CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2nd Annual RAYNA & MARVIN MILLER HOUSING JUSTICE AWARD
Deadline for Nominations: June 30, 2009. Interfaith is seeking nominations for its second annual Rayna & Marvin Miller Housing Justice Award. Click here for more information and a downloadable nomination form. You may also contact Gail Schechter, (847) 501-5760, or e-mail: gail@interfaithhousingcenter.org

GET POLITICALLY ACTIVE: JOIN A COMMISSION!
We Want You! to volunteer for your community. Every northern suburb is looking for dedicated residents to sit on local commissions that promote diversity and fair, accessible, and affordable housing. This page makes it easy for you to apply directly to your suburb.

KING DAY 2009: Photostory of January 19, 2009 Day of Inspiration and Service
Over 300 children, parents, grandparents, and other enthusiastic north suburban residents heeded the call to treat Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a day of public service. They crowded the Wilmette Junior High School to make scarves and blankets for hospitalized children and the homeless, and many also attended a one-woman performance that reflected on the lessons learned in the Civil Rights Movement.

INTERFAITH HUD-CERTIFIED TO SAVE HOMES
After years of assisting victims of predatory lending, as of March 2008, Interfaith has been approved as a HUD-certified housing counseling agency specializing in mortgage delinquency, loss mitigation, and fair housing assistance. For more information, please contact Jasmine, (847) 501-5768, ext. 404, or e-mail: jasmine@interfaithhousingcenter.org

COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteer for Interfaith!
Volunteer as a Fair Housing Tester. Interfaith needs individuals to pose as home seekers and document their experiences. The data testers provide helps Interfaith ascertain whether people are treated unfairly by landlords, real estate professionals, or financial institutions. Interfaith pays volunteers a modest stipend for this important work. We encourage individuals of all races, ethnicities and physical abilities to contact Andrea, (847) 501-4352, or e-mail: andrea@interfaithhousingcenter.org for more information.

GOT HOUSING RIGHTS?: YES, YOU DO!
Learn fair housing basics with "Stop Discrimination!" translated here in 7 different languages. Download any of four Fair Housing Fact Sheets that teach Older Adults, residents of Mobile/Manufactured Home Communities, Homeowners’ & Condo Associations, and Victims of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault how to protect against housing discrimination. These fact sheets are also available in Polish, Russian, and Spanish.

Check out our 6-page Resource Guide with readings and referrals for learners of all ages. This compilation lists children’s books, adult non-fiction, journals, community organizations, videos that teach about housing justice and living in diverse neighborhoods.

Updated 06/05/09 gs

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Web site designed by Karleen Stevens McAllester