Updated 3/24/2025
Baird & Warner has been around for 170 years, and in that time Chicago has been the epicenter for many pivotal moments in the civil rights movement. This long history has given company leadership the opportunity and the privilege to be a voice for justice. Today, we continue that work through Good Will Works, the multifaceted charitable arm of our company giving mission.
The month of April, in particular, provides a special opportunity to revisit that mission, reflect on how far we've come and chart the path forward. April is Fair Housing Month, and this year commemorates the 57th anniversary of the passing of the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, and marked a major milestone in the fight for housing equality. It prohibits discrimination in housing due to race, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status.
A Legacy of Fighting for Fair Housing Rights
In 1962, the late John Baird — former president of Baird & Warner and father of current president Steve Baird — took action in the fight for fair housing. At the time, some civic leaders and those in powerful Chicago real estate circles felt that anti-discrimination laws would infringe on the rights of property owners. In reaction to this, John testified before the Chicago City Council and the state General Assembly. He even left his position on the Chicago Real Estate Board when it chose to oppose fair housing rights.
The John Baird Scholarship Fund
In honor of John Baird's legacy, Baird & Warner established the John Baird Scholarship Fund to support students in the Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law) Fair Housing Legal Clinic. The clinic provides education about fair housing law to the public and free legal counsel to those in the Chicagoland area who have been illegally denied housing. They also provide legal assistance to public and private organizations that wish to eliminate discriminatory housing practices.
Habitat for Humanity and Homebuyer University Workshops
In 2022, we announced a multiyear Good Will Works partnership with Habitat for Humanity. We committed to providing a total of $500,000 over three years to support the organization in four main areas of programming — community engagement, affordable homeownership, education and neighborhood improvement. In addition to helping to build homes, direct support through neighborhood grants and educational programming on the history of race and housing, we also collaborate with Habitat to empower prospective homebuyers through Homebuyer University. Not only does this public course help to prepare families for homeownership, many experts from across our family of services volunteer as instructors.
KeysToHome and HomeEasier
We understand that housing is more than just a place to live — homeownership can be a pathway to financial stability, community enrichment and building generational wealth. Our HomeEasier workshops are free, informative classes that help prospective homebuyers get on the right path to achieve homeownership. In these workshops, participants learn about everything from the basics of financial planning to everything that happens before and after buying your first home.
Our mortgage partner Key Mortgage also offers KeysToHome, a transformative program designed to unlock your path to homeownership. KeysToHome workshops are aimed at those who have never imagined themselves as homeowners — from pre-purchase to closing and beyond; expert instructors help and counsel participants through the whole homeownership process.
Good Will Works
Through the charitable arm of our company, Good Will Works, we partner with organizations working in the areas of fair housing, financial empowerment and racial equity. As part of our mission, we partner with organizations working in the areas of fair housing, financial empowerment and racial equity — Spanish Coalition for Housing, YWCA Chicago and the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance.
You can view the full Good Will Works 2024 Community Impact Report here.
A Commitment to Doing the Right Thing
So much progress has been made in the arena of housing, but the reality is that many people still face housing instability, homelessness and housing discrimination today. As individuals, across our offices and as a company, we strive to make housing easier and more accessible for all. When people experience economic security and stability through homeownership, they're also more likely to invest back in their own community.
Fair Housing Month is an excellent time to reflect on the progress we've made, but it is also a reminder that there is still work to be done and an opportunity to set new goals. For more information about your rights and federal fair housing policies, visit the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) website.
