Illinois Department of Human Rights Releases Important New Guidebook for Housing Providers

 

[July 18, 2018] 

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) is releasing a first-of-its-kind Guidebook that will help housing professionals eliminate housing discrimination and achieve diverse, inclusive communities.

The Guidebook on Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications offers clarification on which accommodations and modifications must be made in housing for persons with disabilities, in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Act.

"This Guidebook is unique because it compiles all the "must have" information in one place,” says IDHR Director Janice Glenn. "This Guidebook will act true resource for all housing professionals on the accommodation and modifications they are required to provide under the Federal Fair Housing Act and will create greater access, to housing, to persons with disabilities. This is a huge accomplishment for Illinois and releasing a guidance of this nature is a great way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act."

The Guidebook was created by IDHR in partnership with Access Living, Incorporated, a Chicago based change agent committed to fostering an inclusive society that enables Chicagoans with disabilities to live fully–engaged and self–directed lives.

“Expanding housing options for people with disabilities is critical for our community to be fully integrated into society. The right to reasonable accommodations and modifications is one of the best tools we have to achieve that end,” said Marca Bristo, CEO and President of Access Living. “We hope the Guidebook becomes a ‘go to’ resource for housing providers and serves to demystify the requirements.”

The guidebook comes as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act, an important civil rights law that guarantees equal access to housing for all Americans by prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing.

The Guidebook was made possible through funding obtained from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is available on IDHR’s website.

[Illinois Department of Human Rights]