Open Communities hosts workshops and programs for Fair Housing Month

April is Fair Housing Month in the United States. Open Communities, the leader in fair housing advocacy for Chicago's North and Northwest suburbs, is hosting a series of free workshops and events throughout the month to highlight the issue of fair housing. These programs will educate the public and people working in the housing, banking, and rental industries. All programs are free and will be held via Zoom.

LANDLORD EDUCATION AND RESOURCES

hosted by Open Communities & Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC)

April 22, 12-2 PM, April 28, 6-8PM

Meant for landlords of one-unit or multi-unit buildings, this workshop teaches landlords about the fair housing rules and regulations they must follow. The workshop covers federal, state and local laws, including the CARES Act. It will also discuss landlord rights, strategies for tenant mediation and retention, and explain Housing Choice Vouchers and the benefits of accepting them.

April 22 Registration link: www.eventbrite.com/e/open-communities-hacc-landlord-workshop-422-tickets-143848989199

April 28 Registration link: www.eventbrite.com/e/open-communities-hacc-landlord-workshop-428-tickets-143850868821

HOUSING FOR 55+

April 16, 1:30-2:30 PM, April 23, 1:30-2:30 PM

This workshop will provide education on housing options and industry updates to allow those 55 and older to age in place. It will cover reverse mortgages and refinance options, rental education, property tax exemptions, and delinquency prevention.

April 16 Registration link: www.eventbrite.com/e/housing-for-55-tickets-146511310273

April 23 Registration link: <URL destination="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/housing-for-55-tickets-146512052493 ">www.eventbrite.com/e/housing-for-55-tickets-146512052493

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LANDLORD 101 TRAINING - April 15, 12:30-1:30 PM

Hosted by Open Communities & Evanston Public Library

The mission of this training is to educate landlords on ordinances, landlord rights, and tenant retention.

This workshop will educate current and future landlords, including management companies, about common Fair Housing issues, landlord protections, and legal versus non-legal matters. It will cover Fair Housing laws and working with the Chicago Housing Authority and Housing Authority of Cook County. Landlords will also learn about appropriate communication with tenants and conflict resolution strategies.

Registration link: <URL destination="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/landlord-training-presented-by-open-communities-evanston-public-library-tickets-142001679847 ">www.eventbrite.com/e/landlord-training-presented-by-open-communities-evanston-public-library-tickets-142001679847

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HOMEOWNERS & RACIAL EQUITY IN HOMEOWNERSHIP April 19, 5:00-6:30 PM

Aimed at BIPOC homeowners living in the North Suburbs of Cook County, this program opens up a dialogue about homeownership in their communities. There will be a discussion about shared experiences, fair housing rules and ordinances, and tenant rights.

Registration link: www.eventbrite.com/e/homeowners-racial-equity-in-homeownership-tickets-146817217249

AVOID FORECLOSURE April 22, 4-5 PM

This workshop educates homeowners about the various options available to assist them in avoiding foreclosure. It will cover information on the foreclosure process, how to adapt financially, adjust/restructure your budget, and keep the lines of communication open with your lender to protect your home and prevent foreclosure. This workshop also provides current homeowners with the education and guidance to rebuild their credit and prepare for life after foreclosure.

Registration link: www.eventbrite.com/e/avoid-foreclosure-workshop-tickets-146602101833

PRE-PURCHASE WORKSHOPS

PREPARING FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP

A four-part, 8-hour series - April 26, April 27, April 28, and April 29, 5-7 PM

Hosted by Open Communities & Evanston Public Library

The mission of this training is to educate landlords on ordinances, landlord rights, and tenant retention.

Note: Participants must register for all four sessions. This course provides prospective homebuyers with an understanding of housing affordability, the home purchase process, credit readiness, and how lenders determine financing. It will cover budgeting tips, debt management, and setting financial goals. Participants will also learn about loan types, financing products, the closing process, and the professionals involved in the home buying process. The course concludes with a discussion about post-purchase and foreclosure prevention.

Registration link: <URL destination="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/pre-purchase-workshop-series-i-presented-by-oc-evanston-public-lib-tickets-145759633989 ">www.eventbrite.com/e/pre-purchase-workshop-series-i-presented-by-oc-evanston-public-lib-tickets-145759633989

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FAIR HOUSING & REPARATIONS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

April 29, 6 PM

During our Fair Housing and Reparations event, our panel will delve into Fair Housing issues from their specific areas of expertise. We will review the history of redlining and discuss how this relates to reparations. Panelists include Robin Rue Simmons (Alderman, Evanston's Fifth Ward), Michael Nabors (Reverend, Second Baptist Church), Courtney Jones (Realtor, President of Dearborn Realists) & Dino Robinson (Founder, Shorefront) as our facilitator.

Registration link: <URL destination="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-of-fair-housing-reparations-tickets-146823273363 ">www.eventbrite.com/e/history-of-fair-housing-reparations-tickets-146823273363

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For more information about these events and other Open Communities programs, please visit www.open-communities.org.