Blog | Open Communities

Redlining – Still an Issue in 2022

Redlining still exists - but now it is digital redlining. What is digital redlining, and how is Open Communities fighting it?

Open Communities

Meet Our 50th Anniversary Award Recipients

Open Communities celebrates 50 years and presents The Emerging Municipality Award, Spirit of Open Communities Award, and Jean Cleland Award.

Open Communities

Cook County's Just Housing Amendment (JHA) Important for Fair Housing

Learn about Cook County's Just Housing Amendment (JHA) and how it impacts housing providers and people with criminal records.

Open Communities

Open Communities Part of Settlement with Redfin, Expanding Access for Communities of Color

Open Communities is part of a settlement with Redfin, expanding access to real estate services in communities of color.

Open Communities

Open Communities’ New Fair Housing Associate, Dominic Voz, Brings Passion to the Job

Open Communities New Fair Housing Associate on his new role and what is important to know about fair housing right now.

Open Communities

Open Communities Part of Historic Fair Housing Settlement with Fannie Mae

Open Communities was part of a $53 million settlement with Fannie Mae confirming fair housing laws cover the maintenance & marketing of REOs

Open Communities

Open Communities’ Housing Counselor, Kayla Williams

One of our newer housing counselors, Kayla Williams, explains what a housing counselor does, how she found her way to Open Communities,...

Open Communities

Open Communities' Fair Housing Plans for 2022

How Open Communities plans to enforce fair housing laws in 2022. Written by Fair Housing Department Director Chris Riehlmann.

Open Communities

Meet Open Communities' New CEO, Cheryl Lawrence

Cheryl Lawrence, JD, joins Open Communities as CEO. Meet Cheryl and learn why she joined Open Communities.

Open Communities

A Note From Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen Ball says goodbye to Open Communities and recaps her time with the organization.

Open Communities

Announcing Our New Partnership with Connections for the Homeless

Open Communities & Connections for the Homeless are partnering on an eviction prevention program.

Jen Peterson

We are Launching a New Eviction Prevention Program

Open Communities launches a new eviction prevention program for justice-impacted people.

Open Communities

Open Communities on WBBM-AM Newsradio Talking about the Eviction Moratorium Ending

Interview with Mary Ellen Ball from Open Communities about eviction prevention on WBBM-AM Newsradio.

Open Communities

Open Communities on WGN-TV Talking about the Eviction Moratorium Expiring

Open Communities' CEO Mary Ellen Ball talks with WGN-TV about the eviction moratorium expiring and what people should do.

Open Communities

Notes from Our First In-Person Gathering

The Open Communities staff gathered in person for the first time in many months, thanks to Covid-19, to make plans for the coming year.

Open Communities

Open Communities on Fox 32 Chicago Talking About Evictions

Open Communities' CEO Mary Ellen Ball talks with Fox-32 in Chicago about the eviction moratorium ending and what people need to know.

Open Communities

What to Do if You Are Facing Eviction as the Federal Eviction Moratorium Ends

Open Communities offers steps to take if you are facing eviction.

Open Communities

The State of the Housing Market - Red Hot, or Not?

Open Communities Board member, Joanne Rogers, VP of Mortgage at Guaranteed Rate, explains the unfair current "hot" housing market.

Open Communities

Fair Housing - Will It Ever Be Truly Fair?

Board member Erica Page Muhammad writes about fair housing and homeownership from her perspective as a Black woman.

Open Communities

Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program receives over 16,000 applications

The Daily Northwestern covers Open Communities' participation in the Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

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