Oak Park has approved an agreement with HOPE Fair Housing Center, a civil rights advocacy organization, to identify any local housing provider policies that violate local, state or federal fair housing laws.
In October 2024, HOPE reported that an investigation into fair housing practices among some of Oak Park’s biggest housing providers showed discrimination in their rental processes.
Investigators at this time found evidence that six local housing providers were not compliant with laws related to source of income protections. And seven providers could not explain how an arrest or conviction record might affect an application.
Oak Park trustees appeared determined at the time to push housing providers toward full compliance with fair housing laws. This new agreement could be the next step.
For now, the village board has only approved a contract for 2025 at a cost of $50,000. Continuing work in 2026 and 2027, for an additional cost, would be subject to board approval.
HOPE’s scope of work is to discover if any screening policies used by housing providers are preventing access to Oak Park, a village that “commits itself to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
The organization will first review at least 30 housing providers’ rental application policies, looking into criteria such as income requirements, citizenship requirements, language barriers, fees for service animals, conviction or arrest record screening, and more.
This screening will help HOPE and the village understand which policies need to be further investigated and what topics subsequent trainings should cover. HOPE will conduct tests during the project, seeing how Oak Park housing providers are interacting with a prospective customer. This will provide information on how policies are being implemented and what other barriers might exist for prospective tenants.
The organization will offer recommendations for legal action, if necessary, to address discriminatory practices.
HOPE will also host a three-part educational series with three 90-minute courses related to industry practices, examples of discrimination and relevant laws.
There is “no one-size fits all solution” to fair housing violations, HOPE explained in its proposal. Possible changes needed in the village might include policy changes, behavioral changes, advocacy, education and legal challenges.
“Our hope is to continue to support both tenants and housing providers in following fair housing laws and regulations locally,” said Jonathan Burch, Oak Park’s neighborhood services director.
HOPE is expected to report its findings from testing to the village, along with recommendations to address issues, in June and December 2025. The report will not, however, include the names of housing providers tested.