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
Tag: Source of Income discrimination
A Call to Action from MTO
End Discrimination Against Housing Choice Voucher Holders in Suburban Cook County
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.
Town Hall Meeting: Housing Discrimination & Segregation on March 6
MTO, Access Living, and Progress Center of Illinois invite you to a Town Hall meeting to discuss critical housing discrimination. The meeting will be held on:
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.
