Housing Program

Mission

The NCR Housing Program works to improve community relations by educating landlords and tenants in strategic areas such as mediation, first-time homebuyer landlord training, and foreclosure and eviction protection.

History

Established in 1967, Rogers Park Community Council's housing conservation program was the first of its kind in the city of Chicago. Through community activism and intervention, delinquent landlords were targeted and plans were developed to improve "problem" buildings. Through the years, a number of deteriorated and poorly maintained buildings were referred to the Troubled Buildings Initiative or to the Drug & Gang House Enforcement Section of the city's legal department. Beginning in the late 1980s, Rogers Park joined the ranks of urban communities to experience a boom in condominium development (both in rental conversion and new construction). Between 1990 and 2010 Rogers Park is estimated to have lost from 30 to 50 percent of existing rental housing stock to conversion.

The housing program has played a key role in many milestone accomplishments, including development of the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance and the successful conviction of Michael Kakvand, who extorted millions of dollars from Rogers Park and other communities through real estate fraud.

Housing Program Today

The Housing Program works with tenants and landlords to ensure that they understand their specific rights and responsibilities under the terms of the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance. In that capacity, NCR provides technical assistance to tenants and landlords to improve the rental/ownership experience in Rogers Park, Edgewater and other north side communities.

NCR is a delegate agency of the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) under its Technical Assistance Community program (TACOM).  It is funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant which comes through the City of Chicago.  NCR is the lead TACOM agency in the north region working with other delegate agencies to provide technical assistance to north side landlords and tenants. NCR provides education and training for renters and property owners (including those affected by foreclosure), resources for conflict and problem resolution, and direct referrals. NCR ultimately aims to improve the quality of affordable rental housing, and to increase the commitment level of local residents working together for a greater Chicago.

The NCR Housing program also does puts on several workshops in the community around rental housing matters such as, affordable housing, tenant's rights and resources, and our signature First Time Homebuyer Landlord Training.

NCR'S First-Time Homebuyer Landlord Training allows first-time buyers of small multi-unit properties to more fully understand the roles, rights, responsibilities, and remedies of both landlord and tenant under the terms of the lease agreement. Curriculum is available in English and Spanish. Topics include the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, Illinois State Law, Fair Housing Act, tenant selection/screening process, leases and security deposits, and eviction. Participants also learn how to protect their investments through budgeting, savings, proper maintenance, proper taxation and Insurance.