By Diana Mendoza Scanlan

It’s been a bruising year for Latinos nationwide, following a contentious presidential election that saw immigrants cast as villains. The Forum has heard from many in the community who feel disenfranchised by the election’s results. In these trying times, now more than ever your support is critical to the sustainability of Latinos in Illinois and across the nation.

On this Giving Tuesday, DONATE to help the Forum continue its work convening local, state and national leaders to take proactive steps that move Latinos forward by focusing on the issues that matter: A better future in education, preserving immigrants’ rights, fair housing and strengthening... Continue Reading

Here are the latest housing updates from the Forum.

The Forum, in partnership with the Center for Changing Lives, facilitated one of its TECHO (Training and Education Creates Housing Opportunities) presentations in August aimed at educating the community on fair housing rights. As a result of the collaborative effort, 14 people were educated on housing and tenant/landlord rights. With a mix of renters and future landlords the group was able to explore best practices addressing rental properties.

TECHO’s interactive trainings are available to all community-based organizations and increase the capacity of nonprofit agencies serving Latinos to work on issues such as discrimination, foreclosures, affordable housing, fair housing and the Chicago Residential... Continue Reading

Dear Friends,

Here are the latest housing updates from the Forum.

Operation H.E.L.P.

The Forum and Operation H.E.L.P. participated in a Feria de Vivienda, or housing fair, on April 30 hosted by Proyecto de Acción de los Suburbios del Oeste (P.A.S.O.) and Interfaith Leadership Project.

Thirty Melrose Park families received information regarding loan modification scams, foreclosure prevention services, Fair Housing and Home Purchasing with DACA or an ITIN number. 

Main supporters included Boston Community Capital, The Private Bank and RE/MAX. Other participating agencies included Patricia Gutierrez Pascual’s Law PC, First Midwest Bank, Second Federal, Northwest Side Housing Center and Pinpoint Mortgage. 

Operation H.E.L.P. also participated at the “My Wellness, My... Continue Reading

Here are the latest housing updates from the Forum.

City Council Testimony: The Forum provided testimony to the Chicago City Council’s Housing Committee in support of the Keeping the Promise Ordinance earlier this quarter.

Homeownership has long been synonymous with the “American Dream:” a means of building wealth and a tangible symbol of upward mobility, a sign that the best is yet to come. For many immigrants, Latino and otherwise, el sueño de la casa propia is also a symbol of full integration into life in the United States. As National Homeownership Month, June provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on how to support strong aspirations of homeownership in immigrant and Latino communities.

Still, Latinos and immigrants must overcome a unique set of hurdles to make their dreams of owning homes an attainable goal. The economic woes of the Great Recession exacerbate other challenges for... Continue Reading

The foreclosure crisis has had a significant impact on the City of Chicago, changing the landscapes of community areas and contributing to the decline in the city’s population. National and regional organizations such as the Woodstock Institute and the Latino Policy Forum have conducted extensive research on the foreclosure crisis and its impact on various racial and ethnic groups. Woodstock Institute analysis  reveals how predatory and subprime lenders targeted and preyed upon Latinos and other communities. The effects of these predatory loans—combined with those of the general financial crisis—have had a significant impact on Latino communities in Chicago.

There is no information... Continue Reading