AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/housing/)
The measure, which will take effect in November, will ensure that housing providers don’t consider certain aspects of someone’s criminal record — such as arrests, juvenile records, and sealed and expunged records — when making housing determinations. Commissioner Brandon Johnson, an Austin resident who was elected to the board last year, was the chief sponsor of the amendment.
The new Oak Park facility, which features 18 one- and two- bedroom apartments, offers permanent housing to young mothers. That differs from the New Mom’s main facility located nearby in Austin at 5317 W. Chicago Ave., where mothers can stay no more than two years.
After two years of work involving more than 400 people, the plan was celebrated Saturday at Michele Clark Magnet High School. Now seven task forces each devoted to a key issue area will begin implementing the plan.
After years of work involving dozens of West Side residents, the spotlight will be on the plan from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 15. The event – organized by Austin Coming Together – will be held at Michele Clark High School, 5101 W. Harrison St.
Over the next several days, Austin Coming Together and LISC Chicago will be holding the last set of community meetings in a year-long process to develop the improvement plan.
The seven working groups will meet from Feb. 26 through March 7 at Austin Coming Together’s offices at 5049 W. Harrison. The working groups are: public safety, youth, housing, civil engagement, education, economic development and community narrative.
Dozens of people working on a five-year, quality-of-life plan met last week to determine next steps. Austin Coming Together is leading efforts to produce the plan, which is expected to be unveiled this summer.
Home ownership could be a key to keeping African Americans in Chicago, says state Rep. La Shawn Ford.
Austin Coming Together invited community members to vote on initiatives for a quality-of-life plan being devised for the West Side neighborhood.
The issue will be discussed from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at 5049 W. Harrison. The discussion is part of ongoing efforts to write a quality of life plan for the community, led by Austin Coming Together and LISC Chicago.