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HOUSING REPORT
FROM THE 2004 SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION
by Rep. Julie Hamos, Chair, Housing & Urban Development Committee
March 8, 2004
As the legislative session kicks into high gear, we are building on the momentum created by last year's landmark progress on housing issues.
ILLINOIS HOUSING TASK FORCE
Working groups of the Illinois Housing Task Force have started to meet. There are six groups focusing on the following areas: Family Housing; Special Needs Housing with Services and without Services; Community and Regional Affordable Housing Strategies and Issues; Preservation and Rehabilitation; Rural/Small City Housing Issues; and Housing Innovation.
The goal of each Working Group will be to produce a report that discusses problems and barriers that exist in the development of affordable housing for each group's focus population, as well as recommendations for action steps for the State. Through these reports, the Task Force will develop specific production goals for each targeted population. The Working Groups are to have completed their work by May 14.
Click here for a list of Task Force members
Click here for a list of Working Group members LEGISLATION ADVANCES
Like last year, a number of bills have been introduced that concern housing:
Source of Income Protection (HB 4439)
Status: Passed out of Housing and Urban Development Committee.
HB 4439 would amend the state Human Rights Act to include protection from discrimination based on source of income, e.g. Housing Choice Vouchers or Social Security Disability.
Summary
Fact Sheet
Federally Subsidized Housing Preservation Act (SB 2329) Status: Passed out of Senate Executive Committee.
SB 2329 would preserve affordable housing stock by requiring owners of buildings that receive a federal subsidy to notify their tenants of their intention to “opt-out” of the program and give tenants the first right to purchase the building at fair market rates.
Summary
Fact Sheet
Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act (SB 2724)
Status: Passed out of Senate Executive Committee.
SB 2724 clarifies the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act adopted last year so that communities can more easily establish housing plans. Under this legislation, municipalities now would have until January 2005 to adopt an affordable housing plan, and a State Housing Appeals Board would have the power to hear cases beginning January 1, 2006. This bill also clarifies the planning requirements for the housing plans, as well as definitions for “low-income” and “moderate-income.”
Summary
Fact Sheet
Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act (SB 2988) Status: Passed out of Senate Judiciary Committee.
SB 2988 would create recourse for tenants whose landlords fail to make repairs to their apartments. After giving 14 days' written notice, a tenant could make arrangements for the repairs and deduct the cost from the next month's rent. This plan is similar to measures already in place in Chicago, as well as 33 other states.
Summary
Fact Sheet
Statewide Rental Assistance Program ( HB 4100)
Status: In House Rules Committee.
HB 4100 would create a rental assistance program by recruiting landlords into the program and providing quarterly rental subsidies for units maintained as affordable. To pay for the program, a $10 fee would be added to the recording of mortgage documents at the county recorders of deeds.
Summary
Long Term Care Legislation
To address the housing needs of seniors with special needs, a package of legislation would convert nursing home beds to assisted living facilities and modern, quality living space; help seniors in nursing homes to be reintegrated to home-based and community settings; raise eligibility standards for home-based services; raise the wages for homemakers who assist seniors remaining in their homes; and require the state to plan for new services in critical access areas.
For a full report on the long-term care package of legislation click here.
MI Olmstead Initiative Act (HB 3915, SB 2958)
Status: In House and Senate Rules Committees.
To address the housing needs of persons with mental illness, legislation focuses on special nursing homes called “Institutions for Mental Diseases” (IMDs), for which the State receives no federal Medicaid match. The legislation would identify 200 persons per year, for 5 years, who are ready and able to transition from IMDs to community-based housing, with the proper supports. The federal government would pay 50% of Medicaid costs once these residents move into the community.
HB 3915 summary
SB 2958 summary State Rep. Julie Hamos
(D-Chicago), chairman,
Public Transit subcommittee
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