Will County partners with City of Joliet and the Housing Authority of Joliet on Fair Housing Study

April marks National Fair Housing Month established to recognize the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 during the Civil Rights Movement. The Fair Housing Act prohibits 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

The Land Use Department of Will County has recently joined with the City of Joliet and the Housing Authority of Joliet to conduct an assessment of fair housing. 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.”

Recently, the county and the city began this assessment of Fair Housing and have launched a county-wide Fair Housing hotline (815) 774-4536 so any person who experiences housing discrimination can report it locally. The partnership seeks to create a safer, more diverse, and welcoming community for all its members.

All residents of Will County are encouraged to participate in this study and as outreach opportunities are announced. The survey can be accessed online in English and Spanish via the Facebook page We WILL Build @buildwillcounty or www.willcountyillinois.com/LandUse.

For more information is available by contacting Martha Sojka, lugrants@willcountylanduse.com.