Bordering Lake Michigan, the You Want to Rent or Buy a How Open Communities City of Evanston is a welcoming Home in Evanston. What Can Help community that opens its doors Are Your Rights? to everyone. People make their Nothing is more important than the place we Open Communities will evaluate the facts of homes here to enjoy its lakefront, call home. It’s where we live our lives, eat your situation at no charge and inform you of tree-lined streets, historic our meals, raise our children or care for our your rights and options. When appropriate, architecture, excellent schools, parents - where we work, relax, and rest. Open Communities can and varied recreational offerings. Unfortunately, people may still be unfairly • investigate your claim of housing The city is also home to a vibrant prevented from acquiring or moving to discrimination arts community, prosperous a home because of individual factors • assist you in filing a fair housing business ventures, and top- that shouldn’t count, such as race or the complaint with the U.S. Department ranked Northwestern University. presence of children in the household. That’s of Housing and Urban Development why it’s important that you understand your or other enforcement agency basic housing rights, which are guaranteed • help resolve housing-related conflicts With a strong public transit to everyone under law. • refer your case to attorneys who system providing access within specialize in fair housing law town as well as to the world- The Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 class city of Chicago, Evanston (Title VIII) and related federal, state, and Welcome to local laws are designed to guarantee open Learn more at www.open-communities.org remains a walkable and bikable Evanston, Illinois housing opportunities that are free from or call (847) 501-5760. Open Communities Know Your Fair Housing Rights town dedicated to environmental discrimination. is a leading voice for housing, economic and well-being and sustainability. social justice in north suburban Chicago. “Fair housing” means that you have the right Founded in 1972 and formerly Interfaith “The strength of a nation lies Equally important is the city’s to equal treatment from landlords and their Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs, agents, real estate professionals, bankers, Open Communities is a not-for-profit in the homes of its people.” longstanding commitment insurance companies, and government organization that educates, advocates and — Abraham Lincoln to diversity, fairness, and agencies when you rent or buy a home. organizes to promote just and inclusive equal opportunity, which had communities. its beginnings in Evanston’s In Evanston, it is illegal to discriminate against someone due to their race, color, historical role as a center of anti- Learn more about the City of Evanston’s national origin, religion, sex, disability, fair housing laws at www.cityofevanston. slavery efforts before the Civil presence of children, age, marital or parental org. Contact the Community and Economic War. That tradition continues status, sexual orientation, gender identity, Development Department of the City of today with a strong dedication order of protection, source of income, Evanston at (847) 859-7889 or visit the to providing fair housing whether they were once homeless, or Evanston Civic Center at 2100 Ridge Ave., unfavorable military discharge. Third floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201. opportunities to all. How to Recognize Housing It is illegal to Discrimination • Refuse to sell or rent to someone Housing discrimination today is rarely blatant because of his or her status in a group but it still exists. Listen for the phrases protected by fair housing law (called a below – they could be warning signs of “protected class”), such as those listed discrimination: to the left. • Advertise or state a preference • “I rented that apartment right after that discriminates against protected you called.” individuals or families. • “That house just went off the market.” • Impose unreasonable limits on when • “This building is for students [or empty or where children can play. nesters] only.” • Unfairly restrict or charge fees to • “Ms. Hernandez, a two-bedroom someone who uses a wheelchair or condo is too small for you and your support animal for her or his disability. mother – and your boy and girl can’t • Refuse to make reasonable share a bedroom.” alterations to accommodate a • “Children can only live on the first floor.” resident’s disability. • “This is a no-pets building, so you • Fail to enforce rules against What Types of Housing • Contact Open Communities at (847) discrimination-based harassment can’t bring your guide dog in here.” Are Covered? 501-5760 as soon as possible after the • “Add a ramp for your wheelchair? among residents in an apartment or Houses and condominiums for sale or rent incident. Sorry, we won’t do that. multi-family building. Apartments for rent, including sublets • Document the problem by writing down • “Do you think you can afford this • Threaten or interfere with anyone Retirement communities what was said during meetings and neighborhood?” or “You wouldn’t be taking action to protect his or her “Independent” and assisted living facilities. phone calls with the landlord, property happy in this neighborhood.” housing rights or anyone who helps manager, real estate agent, loan officer or • “Your interest rate will be higher if you them to do so. What Can You Do? insurance agent. Keep detailed records of buy in that neighborhood.” what happens afterward. Evanston is committed to diversity and is • Save copies of any documents involving opposed to any housing discrimination. The your home, such as receipts, lease agree- City of Evanston has contracted with Open ments, application forms, business cards, Communities, a not-for-profit fair housing or correspondence between you and agency, to help enforce all applicable fair your landlord or bank. housing laws. • If you are considering filing a com- plaint, don’t delay. A complaint must be If you feel you are being treated unfairly, take filed with HUD or the City of Evanston the following steps listed to the right: within a year of the most recent discrimi- natory act. You also have the right under the Fair Housing Act to file a private law- suit in Federal District Court within two years of the incident.