Title
Approval of Organization to Administer CDBG-Funded Fair Housing Program.
Staff Summary
• On March 30, 2015, an RFQ was released for organizations to administer a Fair Housing Program for the 2015 and 2016 program years (May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2017) funded with CDBG public services funds.
• The purpose of the Fair Housing Program is to ensure compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
• Qualified organizations must be able to provide: 1) Education & Outreach; 2) Counseling/Referrals; 3) Investigation & Testing; 4) Mediation/Legal Services; and 5) Communications & Marketing. Ability to provide enforcement of the Act is preferred.
• One organization, Prairie State Legal Services, responded in full to the RFQ. This response has been reviewed by the Executive Committee, which on the basis of this review will make a recommendation to the full Housing and Community Development Commission.
• Since May 2011, Prairie State has been the recipient of CDBG funds from Lake County, Waukegan and North Chicago to operate the Fair Housing Program for Lake County.