Will County to Conduct Fair Housing Assessment

As April marks the beginning of National Fair Housing month, the Land Use Department of Will County has joined both the City of Joliet and the Housing Authority of Joliet to conduct an assessment of fair housing. According to hud.gov, in 1968, the passage of the Fair Housing Act during the Civil Rights Movement prohibited the discrimination of home buyers based upon race, religion, sex, disability, family status, or national origin. In Will County, this historic benchmark is being recognized with efforts to further fair housing in all communities

According to a press release by Will County, as recipients of Department of Housing and Urban Development funds, the county is required to confirm and further opportunities for fair housing. The county’s “We WILL Build” initiative seeks to expand the range of opportunities for all by collaborating and advocating for opportunities, options and diversity in housing stock throughout Will County.

“Our Land Use Department does a tremendous job to ensure safe housing for our residents,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh. “We are proud of our efforts to restore and preserve neighborhoods in Will County and make sure any one is able to pursue the housing option of their choice.”

The county and the city have begun an assessment of Fair Housing and have launched a county-wide hotline that can be reached at (815) 774-4536. Any person who believes to have experienced housing discrimination can report it using the hotline. According to a press release by Will County, the partnership seeks to create a safer, more diverse, and welcoming community for all its members.

For more information regarding the assessment being conducted you can contact Martha Sojka at lugrants@willcountylanduse.com.