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.
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 hundreds of local residents, civic organizations, and congregations. We encourage everyone's involvement, regardless of religious affiliation.
New! NEWSLETTER: Read "Just Housing"!
Get the latest news on Interfaith activities and find out about our progress on local housing issues in the Spring 2011 Newsletter.
New! LANDLORD TENANT PROJECT WEBSITE LAUNCHED
** Seven local municipalities – Evanston, Highland Park, Lincolnwood, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Skokie, and Wilmette – together with the Interfaith Housing Center launched a new web site, www.landlordtenantproject.org in February 2011, consolidating information on rights, responsibilities and resources for renters and landlords in Chicago’s northern suburbs. The Project is grateful to the Woods Fund of Chicago for its underwriting support. Contact Brendan Saunders at (847) 501-5760, ext. 402, or e-mail: brendan@interfaithhousingcenter.org
For a "one-stop shop" to volunteer to serve on a commission in any of the 16 northern suburbs, click this link: Join a Commission!
Watch United We Learn's Video on School Disparities ** United We Learn, a north suburban, broad-based grassroots campaign which Interfaith helped organize in 2008 in the wake of a Chicago Public School boycott at New Trier High School, released a documentary film, "The Education They Deserve", highlighting stark inequities in the public schools. Segregated housing inevitably leads to segregated public schools, and separate is not equal. The film was underwritten by a grant from the Sally Mead Hands Foundation to Interfaith, as fiscal agent for United We Learn.
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.
More Ways to Get Involved!
COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteer for Interfaith!
Volunteer as a
Fair Housing Tester. Interfaith needs individuals to pose as home seekers. The data testers provide helps Interfaith ensure a non-discriminatory housing market. Interfaith pays volunteers a modest stipend for this important work. To sign up for training, contact Viki, (847) 501-2029, ext. 408, or e-mail: viki@interfaithhousingcenter.org.
GET POLITICALLY ACTIVE:JOIN A COMMISSION! We Want You! to volunteer. Every northern suburb is looking for dedicated residents to sit on commissions that promote diversity and fair, accessible, and affordable housing. This page makes it easy for you to apply directly to your suburb.
Ask Us About Our Fair Housing Exhibit!
** Learn about the historic struggle for housing justice in Chicago's northern suburbs. Interfaith, together with Shorefront Legacy Center, an Evanston-based archive of African-American history in the area, developed this exhibit which has toured multiple communities, banks, and schools. The "History of Equal Housing" series of panels was developed under a grant from HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program. Click here for a slide show presentation version of this traveling exhibit. To borrow this exhibit, please contact Andrea (847) 501-5760, or e-mail: andrea@interfaithhousingcenter.org
Foreclosure Prevention Counseling **In preparing to make an appointment with Interfaith, our housing counselors need you to COPY your mortgage documents. CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO PROVIDE US. Our staff will review your case and paperwork, inform you of your options, and offer appropriate help. To make an appointment, contact (847) 501-5760 ext. 404, or e-mail: jasmine@interfaithhousingcenter.org. Housing counseling staff speak Polish, Russian, and Spanish in addition to English. Interfaith is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency. All services are free of charge and confidential.
