Provide non-litigation negotiation assistance in situations where investigation or
testing has confirmed the presence of discrimination.
PSLS is a private fair housing enforcement organization; it is not an enforcement
agency as is HUD or IDHR/IHRC, which have subpoena powers and the legal authority
to adjudicate complaints. PSLS generally seeks to resolve a fair housing complaint by
attempting to engage in negotiations on behalf of a complainant with a housing provider.
Where negotiations between a complainant and a person/organization alleged to have
conducted an act of discrimination do not result in an agreement between the parties,
PSLS will represent the complainant through the HUD or IDHR administrative process
or in court using CDBG or HUD funds, or will refer the complaint to HUD or to IDHR, to
its general program for litigation on behalf of the complainant, or to the private bar or
other fair housing specialists.
REGIONAL FRAMEWORK PLAN
The County’s 2004 Regional Framework Plan, in its chapter on community
revitalization, has stated that “redeveloping the older, built up areas of the County
should be emphasized in order to utilize the infrastructure that already exists and to also
increase the value of the properties. Revitalization of these areas will provide jobs for
people in these areas, encourage home ownership, provide for stable communities, and
reduce development pressure on open space locations.” The plan, in its chapter on
housing, also indicates that “Transportation-efficient developments, such as
Employment Oriented Development and Transit Oriented Development…should be
encouraged. These compact developments can minimize traffic impacts and preserve
open space.”35
The Regional Framework Plan acknowledges that “by having local governments show
the areas of minority concentration and identify the location of federally assisted
activities (such as public facilities and social services), HUD can determine whether or
not there is discrimination in the allocation of program funds. In addition, HUD’s site and
neighborhood selection standards attempt to ensure that housing for lower-income
persons is developed in areas other than those of minority concentrations.”
Ten of the Plan’s 21 identified “municipal revitalization areas” were in areas with high
minority concentrations; none of those in unincorporated Lake County—over which the
County has direct jurisdiction—is in high minority concentration areas. In 2004, the
following revitalization areas were identified as meeting the HUD reporting requirement
for concentrations of minority populations of 25 percent or more: Fox Lake, Fremont
Township, Gurnee, Hainesville, Highwood, Mundelein, North Chicago, Round Lake
35
http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Planning/PlanningandSupportServices/Documents/FrameworkPlan//Chapters
2-13-07/Chapter8.pdf.
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APPLIED REAL ESTATE ANALYSIS, INC.
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS