10 Chicago non-profits that need your help this holiday season

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Shelter is a basic human need and a basic human right. As an apartment research company, we know that many Chicagoans struggle to find and maintain consistent shelter and that this struggle is interconnected with many other basic human needs.

Today we would like to recognize some non-profits that serve Chicago communities by providing access to shelter, food, health care, education, employment, technology, and other services. Please consider donating or volunteering your time and skills to any of these organizations.

Organizations are listed in alphabetical order.

Albany Park Workers Center (a division of the Latino Union)

latino unionWhat they do: coordinate the process of hiring day laborers to eliminate incidents of wage theft. Train laborers to ensure that employers get reliable help. English and workplace safety classes.

Who they help: Day laborers, particularly immigrants.

How you can help: Hire a laborer to help with construction, moving, shoveling or other short term manual labor projects. Donate funds to assist with other programs that help day laborers.

Founded: 2004

Annual Revenue: $540k (Latino Union)

Location: Albany Park (Workers Center) / Pilsen (Latino Union)

Continue reading 10 Chicago non-profits that need your help this holiday season

Published by

Jon Hoferle

Questions to ask your next Landlord about Applications and Fees

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When I used to show apartments I would have a loose script and staging that I would fall back to. At the end of every showing (and frequently after showing each room) I would pause and ask if the clients had any questions. Most of the time they would say nothing, so I'd move on.

In many cases when I was representing the landlord I would have had any number of questions in the back of my head that they really should have asked. I would gloss over things and fail to point out glaring weaknesses. They would not say anything. (I'm ashamed to admit one particular showing where I spent the entire time rooted in one place in the kitchen to "let the client explore and get a feel for the place." My foot was hiding a dead mouse that I had spotted on the way in and there was no way I was moving from that spot.) Continue reading Questions to ask your next Landlord about Applications and Fees

Published by

Kay Cleaves

15 Tips for Preparing and Hosting a Holiday Party from Your Uptight Downstairs Neighbor

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A handwritten note slipped under your neighbor's door explaining that you're having a holiday party and to “feel free to stop by” is not an invitation. Use only invitations that come in small envelopes, are printed on cardstock, and are delivered at least two weeks before the event.

If you need to make several trips to bring in bags of food from the grocery store, do not prop the front door open. This can cause a draft. Always use the back stairs for this. Continue reading 15 Tips for Preparing and Hosting a Holiday Party from Your Uptight Downstairs Neighbor

Published by

Jon Hoferle

Eight Safety Conscious Gifts for City Renters

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Last Friday Jon posted a great list of fun and fancy gifts for the renters on your list. However, as a safety-conscious company, we'd be out of line if we didn't also offer some ideas that were focused on keeping renters and small-space dwellers safe and sound over the coming year.

If Black Friday and Small Business Saturday didn't complete your shopping list (and you've already picked up a few RentConfident Gift Certificates), here are some additional, practical ideas that may be of use.

Adjustable Security Bar ($15)

Image via wdrake.com
Image via wdrake.com

It may seem unglamorous to give someone a pole for the holidays, but when that pole could prevent a break in it becomes more interesting. Many Chicago apartments have back doors that open directly to an unguarded outside area. These metal bars fit under the doorknob and brace against the floor behind to offer additional security against forced entry. Almost any major hardware store should have them in stock, or you can find them on Amazon. Continue reading Eight Safety Conscious Gifts for City Renters

Published by

Kay Cleaves

10 great gifts for your apartment dwelling friends (or apartment dwelling self)

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Happy Black Friday! If you're reading this from your phone in a checkout line, congratulations on your bravery and tolerance. If you're reading this while relaxing in your pajamas at home, congratulations on helping make the world a more tranquil place.

Today I would like to talk about good gifts for apartment dwellers. Of course the best gift for any Chicago apartment resident is a RentConfident gift certificate. However, I know that a lot of renters don't live in Chicago, so until we can expand to other cities, here are some other suggestions.

When I shop for one of these gifts, I follow two rules. 1) I try to make sure that it's either beautiful or useful. 2) Because this person may not share my ideas on beauty and usefulness, I try to make sure that it's not too big – maybe less than one quarter of the volume of those medium-sized plastic storage tubs. That way I know that it's not taking up too much space in the back of their closet.

I've spent the last few days browsing online shops and Apartment Gift Top Ten Lists and jotted down some items that caught my eye.  Mostly they are things that I have and enjoy having or things that I'd like to have. So yes, I did create a gift list for me, and I am calling it a list for everyone who lives in an apartment. That's just how I shop. Are you ready to see what I've found? Continue reading 10 great gifts for your apartment dwelling friends (or apartment dwelling self)

Published by

Jon Hoferle