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» Fair Housing
In the United States, each one of us has the right to equal treatment in the housing market regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or presence of children in our families.
Fair housing is not only everyone's right, it also makes our communities better places to live. Studies have shown that a diverse community is a healthy and desirable community.
The Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs is proud of its grassroots history as an integral part of Chicago's Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In 2007, Interfaith worked with Shorefront, Inc., an Evanston-based archive of African-American history in the area, to document this multifacted decades-long quest for diversity, fair and affordable housing in the region through a series of display panels and a slide show presentation.
Housing discrimination today often is more subtle than a slammed door or a rude remark. Unsuspecting home or apartment seekers may be politely turned away from housing of their choice, even though they are qualified.
If you’ve heard remarks such as these while looking for a place to live, you may have experienced housing discrimination:
- “We don’t rent to more than three people for a two-bedroom apartment.”
- “You might not feel comfortable in this neighborhood.”
- “We don’t rent to families; we’re concerned that children could fall out of windows or off the balcony.”
- “You can’t build a ramp for access to the building—it won’t look good.”
- “Most of the people who live in this building are ‘professionals.’”
- “No children allowed.”
- “Zoning doesn’t allow us to rent to a family of your size.”
- “We just rented the apartment.” But the unit still is available the next day.
If you feel that you have been treated unfairly, it may mean you have been discriminated against. Don’t let prejudice keep you from living where you choose.
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The Federal Fair Housing Act was passed in April 1968. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to deny housing to anyone because of their race, color, national origin, religion, and sex. In 1988, this was extended to protect people with disabilities and families with children.
In addition, Illinois fair housing laws say that you may freely choose a place to live without regard to your age, ancestry, military discharge status, marital status, or sexual orientation. In Cook County, source of income and housing status (i.e., previous place of residence, such as a shelter) are protected.
Throughout the northern suburbs of Chicago many municipalities protect their residents against housing discrimination with their own fair housing ordinances. In the north suburban communities of Park Ridge and Morton Grove, you may not be denied housing because you are a Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher holder.
If you feel you are being treated unfairly in one
of the northern suburbs of Chicago, take the following steps:
- Contact us at the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs.
- Document the problem by writing down what happens during meetings and phone calls with the landlord, property manager, real estate agent, loan officer or insurance agent.
- Keep detailed records as to what was said and the outcome.
- Save all receipts, copies of application forms,
business cards and other relevant documents.
- Don't delay if you are considering
filing a complaint—there are time limits of 180 days to one year, depending on the jurisdiction.
Help your community or congregation better understand their fair housing rights and responsibilities. Consider hosting a housing justice workshop. Contact us for more information.
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The following are ways for you to let people know their housing rights and affirmative promote a diverse community:
- Host a Housing Justice Workshop. The Interfaith Housing Center staff is happy to speak to your group or provide multi-media information. Contact us for more information.
- Recognize April as National Fair Housing Month. This is an opportunity to simultaneously raise awareness of individual rights and promote your community as welcoming.
- Understand the Technical Terms. This Glossary of Terms can provide guidance.
- Share Readings, Videos, and Contacts. In 2008, Interfaith prepared a Resource Guide, a six-page compilation that lists books, journals, community organizations, videos, and on-line resources that celebrate the value of living in diverse neighborhoods, teach about fair housing rights, and outline the urgent need for fair and affordable housing.
- Learn Your Fair Housing Rights! 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 on our fair housing rights web page.
- Fair Housing and Immigrants: Issues and Challenges. Despite legal protections guaranteed under the federal Fair Housing Act, immigrants are often denied decent and safe housing because of their national origin, race, or presence of children.
- Exhibit Our "History of Equal Housing in Chicago's Northern Suburbs." Both a traveling exhibit and a slide show presentation are available to offer a snapshot of the long struggle for fair and affordable housing in the region. A DVD/video version for classroom use is available upon request. To schedule the exhibit for your community: margaret@interfaithhousingcenter.org or (847) 501-3278.
- Show Educational Videos. Several videos available through the Interfaith library allow viewers to understand the corrosive effects of housing discrimination. Call our office for a list of videos at (847) 501-3278, ext. 501.
- Air Public Service Announcements. Listen to these two short public service announcements (PSAs in MP3 format) developed by Interfaith for more information. You may also download these to share with your local organizations, employees, municipalities, congregations, families, and neighbors: Fair Housing PSA 60-seconds and Fair Housing PSA 30-seconds.
- Publish a Bulletin/Newsletter Announcement. Congregations, businesses, organizations, and government agencies can also download this short blurb for their newsletters or bulletins to reach out to north suburban residents or homeseekers to let them know we can help if they suspect housing discrimination.
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