Unmarried braces now will be able t...

Unmarried braces now will be able to live together in scholar family housing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The novel policy came about because the Illinois Human Rights Act was amended in January to include sexual orientation as a preserveed class. That means that homosexuals cannot be discriminated against for pursuit real estate, financial credit and public accommodations -- including housing.

The amendment make opened the door for unmarried twos who can demonstrate a relationship -- usually with a joint banking account, credit card or domestic partnership agreement -- to live together in scholar housing, whether heterosexual or homosexual.

Housing director Michael Schultz said in 17 years, there has been solitary one request from an unmarried pair to live on campus. Others simply may have decided not to apply, he said.

The change will mainly affect the Cougar Village family housing, which leases two- and three-bedroom apartments for $850-900 a month including utilities.