An Official Description of the Center - 1999

OAK PARK REGIONAL HOUSING CENTER
1041 South Blvd., Oak Park 60302
848-7150, (FAX) 848-7165
http://members.aol.com/rentinop/oprhc.html
E-mail: rentinop@ad.com
Agnes M. Stempniak executive director

The Oak Park Regional Housing Center works to maintain diversity in Oak Park and the surrounding area through its free apartment referral service. Since the village of Oak Park made a commitment to open housing in 1968, the Oak Park Housing Center has played a critical role in the villages efforts to become a more open, diverse community.

Among the centers goals are:
To promote Oak Park locally and nationally as a desirable, diverse community
To preview apartments to ensure quality maintenance and service
To assist newcomers in locating apartments while encouraging diversity
To escort clients, provide personal attention and answer questions
To consult with owners to facilitate apartment building rehabilitation.

In 1993, the center became regional in scope, expanding both its mission and its name (Oak Park Regional Housing Center). To expand housing options for African-American clients, a New Directions program was created to
1) market other west suburban communities to African-American clients who might not otherwise be exposed to those locations;
2) help community leaders support and encourage non-traditional moves; and
3) provide the counseling, apartment listings and escort services pioneered in Oak Park for the expanded service area.

The mission of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center is: To achieve meaningful and lasting racial diversity throughout Oak Park and the surrounding communities by marketing Oak Park in a manner that attracts homeseekers of all races; encouraging them to make non-traditional moves; fighting discrimination against minority homeseekers and opening new housing opportunities; and educating both Oak Parkers and non-Oak Parkers about the value and benefits of racial diversity and how to attain it.

The 1999 year shows a total of 5272 resolved rental clients. If we look at those of the 5272 clients who actually made a move, 69% of those moved to Oak Park. Oak Park renters are young (80% are 40 or under) and 720/q are unmarried. A total of 86% have at least one car, and 22% have pets.

Of those who moved to Oak Park (1419), 57% were white, 27% African American, 6% Asian-American, 9% other groups, and 1% bi-racial. A total of 22% were already residing in Oak Park, with 25% from out of state, 21% Chicago, 25% other suburbs, 4% Illinois and 3% foreign. Small families predominated with 84% having two or less family members and only 19% having children. In the category of white clients (who moved to Oak Park) 93% had 2 or less family members, while 82% of black families were that size. Additionally 15% of white renters had children, while 28% of black renters had them.

Peak months for registration were April, May, June and July. Registration results from the following sources in order of importance: (1) friends and word of mouth; (2) advertising; (3) were former clients; (4) internet; (5) walk-ins; (6) real estate or management firms; (7) other Village agencies; (8) other housing centers; (9) medical schools; (10) newspaper articles.