Getting Your Own Crib
How to Begin
Apartment Shopping
Renter’s Insurance
Housing Resource List
HOW TO BEGIN
Looking for an apartment? It can be both exciting and frustrating! But if you take things one step at a
time, and if you know your rights, apartment hunting doesn't have to be a hassle. Read through this Renter's
Kit before you begin. And happy hunting!
Before you start looking...
Know your rights: First, you should know about your fair housing rights. Federal law forbids
housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability.
If you have been trying to rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file
a fair housing complaint. If you think a prospective landlord is discriminating against you because of your
disability, call Mary Jo Noriega at Access Living, (312) 640-2147 or mnoriega@accessliving.org.
Then, you should know about your rights as a prospective tenant. The person who rents an apartment is known as a
tenant. For further information, call Metropolitan Tenant Organization at 773-702-1713. You can also visit
their website at www.tenants-rights.org.
Figure out how much you can afford: It is recommended that you budget 25-30% of your income
for housing. That means if you make $600 a month, you can afford about $150 to $180. If you make
$1200 a month, you can afford $300 to $360. If there is no housing available in your price range, try
calling Access Living to see what you can do. If you live outside Chicago, call your local Center for
Independent Living. You can see a list at www.ncil.org/directory.html.
Figure out what you need: It's a good idea to think through what you need in an apartment
BEFORE you begin shopping. How many bedrooms do you need? Do you need to be close to schools? Do you need
parking? Do you need an apartment that is accessible? Make a list before you begin...that will help you narrow
down your search.
Apartment Shopping
If you’re looking for an apartment and you don’t need financial assistance to pay your rent, check your local
newspaper for apartment listings in the area you want to rent. You can also check the Chicago Reader for
listings.
Apartment finder agencies can offer further assistance. These are agencies that will help you look for an
apartment that meet your needs. This is a free service but it is important to know that apartment owners pay
these agencies a fee to advertise their buildings. As a result, the apartments you are shown tend to be more
expensive than if you looked for apartments in the same area with similar criteria on your own. The following is
a list of apartment finder agencies in the Chicago area. If you are interested in using this service, go to one
of the addresses listed below and tell them you are looking for an apartment.
List of apartment finder agencies in Chicago:
Apartment People
3121 N. Broadway, Chicago
773-248-8800 (Voice)
Apartment Zone
1355 W. Chicago
312-829-7368 (Voice)
You can also go online to find an apartment at:
http://www.apartments.com/
http://www.accessibleapartments.org/website/article.asp?id=4
http://www.apartmentworld.com/
http://www.places4rent.com/
http://www.move.com/?poe=move
Renter’s Insurance
You may want to protect your belongings by buying renter’s insurance. Renter’s insurance will cover the cost
to replace your belongings lost in case of a fire, robbery or other unexpected loss. Call any insurance agent and
ask if they carry renter’s insurance and how much it costs.
Housing Resource List
- If you want to find out about modification funds available to make your home accessible call Mary Delgado
at Access Living at (312) 640-2118 or TTY (312) 640-2102.
- If you want assistance in finding, accessible, subsidized housing Access Living can provide you with a
subsidized housing list. For a copy of the list call Pearl Mathews at (312) 640-2116 or TTY
(312) 640-2102.
- If you want to attend a support group for people with disabilities who are looking for housing call Pearl
Mathews at (312) 640-2116 or TTY (312) 640-2102.
- If you have a housing discrimination complaint call Mary Jo Noriega at Access Living at (312)
640-2147 or TTY (312) 640-2102 for assistance with your complaint. You can also file a
compliant with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- If you have questions about your Housing Choice voucher or want to find out more information about
obtaining a Housing Choice voucher call CHAC at (312) 986-9400 or TTY (312) 461-0079.
- If you have a Housing Choice voucher and you are interested in owning your own home call Rose Ann Zona at
CHAC (312) 986-9400 ext. 4094 or TTY (312) 461-0079.
- If you have a question about Public Housing call the Chicago Housing Authority Occupancy Department at
(312) 791-8528 (no TTY#).
- If your landlord is doing something you believe to be illegal call the Metropolitan Tenants Organization
at (773) 292-4988 (no TTY#).
- If you need emergency shelter, go to the nearest hospital or police station and tell them you want to go
to a shelter. You can also call the Catholic Charities Emergency Shelter/Food/Clothing hotline at
1-800-244-0505 (no TTY#).
- If you are a person with a mobility impairment or a developmental disability and you are interested in
owning your own home, call Dennis Howard at Community Service Options at (773) 884-1000 ext.222 or
TTY (773) 884-1002.
- If you would like to be involved in advocacy efforts to create more affordable housing opportunities call
Access Living and ask to speak to Darrell Price (312) 640-2194 or TTY (312)
640-2102.
- If you would like information about weatherization programs to assist you in paying home energy costs
call (312) 746-6319 (no TTY#). Tell them you are interested in the Illinois Home
Weatherization Assistance Program.
- For one time assistance with an energy bill call (312) 746-6319 (no TTY#) and tell them
you are interested in the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
- If you need assistance in repairing bad credit or help with budgeting, call Mary Hollis at (312)
939-1611 (no TTY #) (ACORN Housing Corporation).
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Access Living Youth Center
All Rights Reserved
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