Want to fight housing discrimination? Become a fair housing tester today!

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ORGANIZATION: SOUTH SUBURBAN HOUSING CENTER

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It's like mystery shopping, but for housing!

Testers help us investigate housing discrimination, are paid per test, and work on an as-needed basis.

Testers will pose as a person interested in renting or buying an apartment or house. Testers will interact with a housing provider and then, once their assignment is complete, they will write an objective, detailed report documenting their experiences during the test. By doing this, the test coordinator will be able to compare the experiences of multiple testers and determine whether or not housing discrimination is taking place.

Assignments can be done over the phone, but many will be in-person. In-person testing usually consists going to view an apartment or home that is for rent. All in-person testing is done safely and can be done with pandemic protocols in place (ex: wearing a mask).

All volunteers must attend our virtual, 2-hour long training before they can begin testing with us. Trainings are held every second Thursday of the month from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST. Once the tester successfully attends this training and completes a practice test, they will receive a stipend of $100.

If you are interested, click the 'I Want to Help' button or email kaitlyn@southsuburban.net

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About SOUTH SUBURBAN HOUSING CENTER

Location:

18220 HARWOOD AVE STE 1, HOMEWOOD, IL 60430, US

Mission Statement

South Suburban Housing Center is dedicated to the promotion of a unitary housing market that: eliminates discrimination based on race or other protected group status; and fosters stable, long-term diverse communities. To achieve this purpose, SSHC operates a host of Fair Housing Enforcement, Housing Counseling and Education and Outreach programs throughout the communities in its primary south Chicago metropolitan service area, as well as other underserved areas throughout Illinois and northwest Indiana that seek our assistance.

Description

SSHC fights housing discrimination by promoting equal housing, lending and home insurance opportunities for all people, through education, research, outreach, enforcement, training and advocacy. Specifically, SSHC engages in activities designed to encourage fair housing practices through nationwide educational efforts; assists persons who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination; provides counseling and referral services for persons seeking housing; identifies barriers to fair housing that counteract discriminatory housing practices; works with elected and governmental representatives to protect and improve fair housing laws; and takes all appropriate and necessary action to ensure that fair housing laws are properly, fairly and affirmatively enforced throughout Chicago’s South and Southwest Suburbs.

CAUSE AREAS

Homeless & Housing
Justice & Legal
Race & Ethnicity
Homeless & Housing, Justice & Legal, Race & Ethnicity

WHEN

We'll work with your schedule.

WHERE

Multiple locations Homewood, IL 60430

(41.55856,-87.66937)
 

SKILLS

  • Basic Computer Skills
  • English
  • Spanish
  • People Skills
  • Verbal / Written Communication
  • Acting

GOOD FOR

  • People 55+

REQUIREMENTS

  • Background Check
  • Must be at least 18
  • Orientation or Training
  • The time commitment depends on the assignment. The most time consuming aspect of fair housing testing is the written narrative portion.
  • Required to attend a virtual training and complete a background check. Federal grant requirements restrict persons with real estate licenses.

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