What:  Hotline Volunteer Training

When:  Saturday, June 8, 2013 – 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Where:  2150 S. Canalport Ave.  Suite 2-B2 (MTO office)

RSVP:  by May 31st, 2013 to Rocio Lugo at 773-292-4980 ext 229 or rocio@tenants-rights.org 

Volunteer and help us prevent homelessness and improve quality life for Chicago tenants!!!

Housing Choice Voucher holders and advocates across suburban Cook County are celebrating this great victory.  “This historic vote by the Cook County Board of Commissioners brings us one step closer to the America we all want.  An America that is inclusive, where real opportunity is given to everyone, including the right to live

wherever they choose to live.” said John Bartlett, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization.  Brendan Saunders Director of Advocacy and Community Organizing at Open Communities said: “This victory puts the choice back in Housing Choice Vouchers.”

This amendment, introduced by Commissioner Jesus Garcia, and cosponsored by Commissioner Larry Suffredin and Commissioner Robert Steele, effectively prohibits landlords in suburban Cook County from discriminating against renters with Housing Choice Vouchers by refusing to consider them as tenants.  Renters seeking to live in suburban Cook County have been struggling for the passage of this type of protection for years, which renters in the Chicago area already enjoy through the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance.

This year’s celebration commemorated the 45^th anniversary of the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act.  Honorees for the evening included Cook County Commissioners Larry Suffredin, Robert Steele and Jesus Garcia as Fair Housing Champions.  MTO recognized the Commissioners for their support of fair housing standards in the suburbs and for their work on the Source of Income legislation to end discrimination in Suburban Cook County.  Beto Berrera of Access Living and Kate Walz of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law received Tenant Champion Awards for their work with tenants facing discrimination and their advocacy to expand fair housing laws.  The Ralph Scott Award, named in memory of longtime Chicago community activist and environmental health advocate Ralph Scott, was awarded to Rose Green of New Directions for Change in recognition of her leadership among renters throughout the city to fight for housing justice.

“It was a pleasure to honor Rose Green, Kate Walz, and Beto Barrera – three exemplary advocates for tenants in Chicago. It was also great to see so many old friends. I’m glad I came and will look forward to coming again next year!” Brian White, Charter One Bank.

View more photos from the event!

Ralph dedicated his life to working with and empowering low-income renters to assert their right to decent, safe and affordable housing.  For many of his years in Chicago, Ralph was a key force in the Rogers Park Tenants Committee which later became the Rogers Park Community Action Network (RPCAN).  Ms. Green epitomizes the work of Ralph.  Like Ralph Scott, Ms. Green as a Section 8 voucher holder became active with RPCAN in the late 1990s.

What drew Rose to RPCAN and organizing was her personal experience of having to face down discrimination on her own.  When Rose first received her voucher she was excited that it would help her with her housing costs.  As she searched for an apartment, she just could not find one.  There were plenty out there but the landlords would always say they didn’t have one as soon as they learned she had a voucher.  Then according to Rose, “I went to a meeting at RPCAN and found out I was being discriminated against and I’ve been involved ever since.”   Rose organized the Rogers Park Section 8 Tenants Council.

Despite health concerns, Rose has worked tirelessly for low-income tenants in general and subsidized tenants in particular.  She developed effective working relationships with the Chicago Housing Authority which helped her advocate for both individual voucher holders and issues affecting voucher holders as a whole.  For over six years, Rose has also been an ardent advocate for protecting suburban Cook County voucher holders from discrimination based on source-of-income.

Currently, she continues this work with New Directions for Change which has picked up the work where the Section 8 Tenants Council left off.  For several years now, New Directions has partnered with MTO in presenting tenant meetings and workshops in the Rogers Park neighborhood, for which Rose and her organization have also provided logistical support.  Rose is committed to ending discrimination.  She said, “I don’t think it is right (discrimination).  I won’t give up.  I don’t want other people to go through what I went through.”

To purchase tickets or to sponsor a housing choice voucher holder’s attendance, please click here.

Renters’ use of housing choice vouchers, more commonly known as Section 8 vouchers, long has worried communities that the arrival of voucher-holding tenants in a neighborhood will lead to crime and, eventually, lower property values.

That’s not true, says a new policy brief by researchers who studied crime patterns and voucher use in Chicago and nine other large cities over a number of years.

Read more here.

Chicago Tribune – March 29, 2013

At this year’s event, MTO plans to lift up the voices of Chicagoan’s who have been a part of the struggle for housing justice over the years and renew the  call to action to work toward safe, decent and affordable housing for everyone.

We hope you will join us for what is sure to be a fun & memorable evening!

For questions or to participate in ad sponsorship please contact Kathy at 773-292-4980 ext 230 or kathy@tenants-rights.org

Top Sponsors – Gold Level:  Law Offices of Hall Adams LLC *** Silver Level:  Illinois State Senator Heather Steans & Leo Smith.  THANK YOU!

Dear Friends & Supporters:

This year, MTO, Access Living and Progress Center of Illinois and numerous supporters and endorsers are embarked on an effort to win passage of an amendment to the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance (CCHRO).   The Source of Income protection – co-sponsored by Commissioners Jesus Garcia, Larry Suffredin and Robert Steele, would end discrimination against Housing Choice Voucher holders.

The CCHRO currently allows landlords to deny Housing Choice Voucher holders the right to apply for an apartment.  Contrary to beliefs promoted by opponents of the amendment, a landlord would not be forced to rent to a voucher holder applicant.  The landlord can still screen a tenant based on reasonable criteria such as past rental histories, credit checks, etc.  Any successful landlord will tell you that the key to success is a good screening process based on facts.  Click here to read more.

The amendment has 6 supporters on the Cook County Board of Commissioners:

7th District Commissioner Jesus Garcia, 13th District Commissioner Larry Suffredin, 2nd District Commissioner Robert Steele, 3rd District Commissioner Jerry Butler, 5th District Commissioner Deborah Sims, and 10th District Commissioner Bridget Gainer.

-Call to Action-

Please CALL and/or EMAIL the following Commissioners to express your support for the amendment.

Commissioner Earlean Collins (1st District):  312-603-4566 or 773-626-2184 – earlean.collins@cookcountyil.gov

Commissioner Edwin Reyes (8th District):  312-603-6386 or 773-588-1129 – edwin.reyes@cookcountyil.gov

Commissioner Joan Murphy (6th District):  312-603-4216 or 708-389-2125 – joan.murphy@cookcountyil.gov

Commissioner John Fritchey (12th District):  312-603-6380 or 773-871-4000 – commish@fritchey.com 

Commissioner Peter Silvestri (9th District):  312-603-4393 or 773-774-8554 – cookcty9@aol.com

Commissioner Jeffrey Tobolski (16th District):  312-603-6384 or 708-352-2301 – jeffrey.tobolski@cookcountyil.gov

Let us know how it went and find out more about how you can get involved in this campaign.  Contact Shirley at shirley@tenants-rights.org or 773-292-4980 ext 224.

Currently, the City of Chicago already prohibits landlords from discriminating against voucher holders.  In the suburbs of Cook County, landlords can and do deny people housing solely because they have a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher.  The Source of Income amendment is a protection that would require landlords to consider renting to Housing Choice Voucher holders.  It would not force a landlord to participate in the program if the tenant does not meet typical requirements (i.e. poor credit rating, bad landlord reference).  The amendment would give people with vouchers the equal opportunity to housing.

On Thursday January 24, 2013 from 2-4 pm at Progress Center Blue Island, MTO, Access Living and Progress Center IL invite you to attend a Town Hall meeting discussing housing discrimination.  Come out and share your experiences with us, and help end housing discrimination and segregation.  If you believe in equal opportunity, join us and show your support.  For more information/transportation call us at 773-292-4980 ext. 224.

Wednesday March 6, 2013

Garfield Park Conservatory

300 N. Central Park Avenue

Chicago, IL 60624

6pm – 8pm

Guest Speakers

Cook County Commissioners

Jesus Garcia

Larry Suffredin

Robert Steele

Topics of Discussion will include:

•  Discrimination against people holding Housing Choice Vouchers segregates families and denies them equal opportunity to move into better areas

• Foreclosure victims and relocation issues

• Poor living conditions and their impact on communities and housing choices

If you hold a housing choice voucher and have experienced these issues, or if you want to get involved,

WE NEED YOU!

Come share your experiences with us

Help end housing discrimination/segregation

Support equal opportunity for everyone

For Information/Transportation call the Metropolitan Tenants Organization at (773) 292-4980 x 224

Photo:  Commissioner Jesus Garcia and Commissioner Deborah Sims hear testimonies from Housing Choice Voucher holders at the Town Hall meeting held on January 24, 2013 at Progress Center Illinois in Blue Island. 

According to one Housing Choice Voucher holder that lives in Oak Park, who wanted to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, “I have been denied occupancy in countless properties including Oak Park Apartments, just because I have a voucher.  This is just not fair.  I pay my rent yet I cannot live in certain buildings!”

Adam Ballard of Access Living and a voucher holder stated, “Many people with disabilities rely on vouchers for their housing.  We want Oak Park Apartments and Cook County to end this legalized discrimination.   All we are asking is to be treated like anyone else.”

Currently, the City of Chicago forbids landlords to discriminate against voucher holders.  There is no such prohibition in Cook County suburbs.  Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia, is trying to change that and has introduced legislation that would amend the County’s Human Rights Ordinance to make it illegal to discriminate against Housing Choice Voucher holders.

After the picket, tenants went to Cook County Commissioner Earlene Collins’ office.  The group wanted to know why Commissioner Collins had not signed on as a supporter of the amendment.  While the Commissioner was away at the time, the group was promised a meeting with the Commissioner.

According to Shirley Johnson, Organizing Director of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, “Section 8, Housing Choice Voucher Holders are stereotyped and therefore often forced to live in high crime, low opportunity communities.  The recent presidential election proved that it is a “new America” where diversity rules. A rental policy that refuses to rent to voucher holders is blatant discrimination and should be outlawed, especially in today’s modern society.”

Oak Park Apartments claims to offer “the largest selection of well-maintained apartments perfect for those who want to experience Oak Park’s architectural character, its excellent school system and vibrant and diverse village feel.”  However, they intentionally exclude Housing Choice Voucher holders from these opportunities.

Access Living, Progress Center and the Metropolitan Tenants Organization organized the protest.  The groups promised to return.  According to Adam Ballard of Access Living, “The fight for our rights has just begun.”