5105 S HARPER AVE, Chicago, IL

I recently submitted an application for an affordable housing unit through City Hyde Park. After submitting my paperwork, I received a call in early July from Krystal Black, the Leasing Manager, who informed me that I did not qualify because I am a college student. I pointed out that the materials from City Hyde Park specified only FULL-TIME students were ineligible. She then claimed the documentation actually stated that both FULL-TIME and PART-TIME students were disqualified. When I mentioned I receive no financial aid from my school, she said she would contact the city to verify my eligibility. On July 6, 2016, Krystal called to say she had "MOVED FORWARD WITH PROCESSING MY APPLICATION" and that I Wroved conditionally approved for the credit and background check stage, pending city approval. My fiancé Wroved listed as a co-applicant on my original submission, but this detail Wroved initially overlooked. When I submitted my need to documents, Krystal noticed my fiancé's name on the tenant income certification form and demanded that my fiancé complete a separate application and provide all need to documents as well. This created a one-week delay. Subsequently, Krystal called to say we both were ineligible due to exceeding the income limit. I explained that the bi-weekly paystubs I provided showed fewer than 30 hours per week, meaning we were well within the threshold. Ra'Mara Vassel, the Project Manager, then contacted me to explain our over-qualification. I reiterated the same information to her. Ra'Mara noted the calculation Wroved based on my fiancé's verification of employment form, which listed 40 hours weekly. She suggested my fiancé submit a Necent VOE stating only 15 hours per week to match the actual paystubs. We also provided our W-2s. The city then requested letters from all my previous employers confirming I no longer work there. I managed to obtain one letter, which I emailed to Krystal. After three days, I have not received any acknowledgment or confirmation that she received it. Krystal then emailed my fiancé requesting a VOE from her former employer. We have since made multiple calls and left voicemails for Krystal with no response. My fiancé and I believe we have experienced discrimination based on our age and my fiancé's race. Throughout this eighteen-week application process, we have faced repeated delays and obstacles.

I recently applied for a affordable housing apartment, with City Hyde Park.I turned in my application and I was called back the beginning of July from Krystal Black (Leasing Manager), in which she stated that I did not qualify for the program because I am a student in college, so I told her that the paper I was given from City Hyde Park stated that FULL-TIME students did not qualify for the affordable housing program, she proceeded to say "It doesn't say on the paper, but it's FULL-TIME and PART-TIME students that don't qualify" then I told her that I do not receive any financial assistance from school and she stated that she would give me a call back when she contacted the city to see if I would qualify then. On July 6, 2016, I received a call from Krystal stating that she "WENT AHEAD AND PROCESSED MY APPLICATION" and that I was conditionally approved for the credit/background check portion of the application, which meant that the next step was to get approval from the city. At the time that I submitted my application my fiance's name was on the application as the co-applicant, however they ignored the fact that my fiance's name was on the application. When I turned in my required documents Krystal seen my Fiance's name on the tenant income certification form and then stated that my fiance would have to fill out a application and turn in the required documents , that I had to turn in as well, which delayed us a week, then I received a call from Krystal Black stating that my fiance and I did not qualify for the program due to our income. Our income did not exceed the maximum income requirement for two people. I informed Krystal that we did not over qualify because the check stubs that were turned in to her were for bi-weekly pay periods, and did not exceed 30 hours. I then received a call from Ra'Mara Vassel (Project Manager) she tried to break down to me how my fiance and I were over qualified (making too much money) and I explained to her the same exact info I told Krystal. Ra'Mara then stated that the total was calculated based off my fiance's verification of employment form which stated that she received 40 hours every week, Ra'Mara stated that my fiance could turn in a new VOE form stating that she only works 15 hours a week which would equal to the check stubs that my fiance turned in. We also turned in our W-2's. Our profile was then submitted to the City Of Chicago for approval which relayed back to Krystal that they needed a letter from all of my previous employers stating that I no longer work for their companies, I was only able to obtain one letter from my previous employer, I then emailed Krystal the letter that I received, and after three days I have yet to receive a call or conformation email from Krystal Black stating that she received the letter. Krystal then emailed my Fiance stating that she needed a VOE form from her previous employer. Since then we have been calling Krystal and leaving voice mails and yet to receive a call back, to answer further question that we have. My fiance and I feel that we have been discriminated against because of our age, and my fiance's race (--------). We have been delayed over and over through out this whole month and a half application process.