Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance

After Updating ByLaws, a Smaller Board of Directors and More Nimble Organization
by Jasmine Brewer

The Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance has updated its structure, adapting the organization in order to have a significant impact on the fair housing community.

Effective October 2007, the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance accepted new bylaws that allow the organization to grow and develop in a more efficient manner. Rather than a board of directors made of all member organizations, the new structure creates a smaller, annually elected board of directors. Membership dues have also been decreased by $100 for most categories of membership.

In an effort to be more conscious about how the organization utilizes its time, monthly meetings now focus solely on fair housing concerns and information sharing. The Board of Directors meets regularly to handle the administrative portion of CAFHA.

These changes have been instituted to create opportunities for the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance to reach out to a broader audience. As we work to recruit prospective members and expand the involvement of current memebrs, we want to be mindful that the purpose of CAFHA is to develop, support and facilitate the coordination of programs that further fair housing rights and opportunities for home seekers. We look forward to working with more organizations to promote in fair housing in the Chicago Metropolitan region.

With a new website launching soon and a report on the regional status of fair housing coming in April, 2008 is already shaping up to be a great year for CAFHA.