The Will County Land Use Department hosted an Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing workshop on June 20 at the County Office Building. The event was designed to educate people across the county about the requirements of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
“Will County takes its certification very seriously and we are willing to take the lead in educating the public about fair housing,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh. “We stand ready to work with HUD (the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) and local stakeholders to ensure we will not knowingly condone any outright violations to the fair housing law.”
The workshop was conducted by Diversity, Inc., a East Hazel Crest-based intergovernmental, not for profit organization formed to create and maintain the social, economic, and commercial conditions which foster racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse residential communities. In support of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 which broadly states, “It is the policy of the United States to provide, within constitutional limitations, for fair housing throughout the United States.” Diversity, Inc. helps describe the law and ensure all involved parties are in compliance.
“We also want to educate the protected classes about their opportunities under the law,” said Ron Pullman, director of Will County’s Community Development Division. “We are not taking this responsibility lightly. We have signed an agreement with the federal government in order to receive federal funding for our programs and we want to conform to the law.”
More than 30 realtors, lenders, members of not for profits, and municipal leaders attended the workshop which provided detailed information about fair housing laws. Pullman noted the importance of understanding the rules under HUD funding for housing and community development.
“HUD is taking a close look at these communities who receive its funding and
certifications,” Pullman said. “Outright failure to identify and attempt to correct public and private policies in violation of the Fair Housing Act will no longer be tolerated by HUD. Workshops such as this ensure Will County agencies are in compliance.”
For more information about fair housing in Will County, visit the Will County Land Use Department website at www.willcountylanduse.com or call (815) 815-774-7890.
