Housing Action Illinois 2008 State Policy Agenda

Affordable Housing in Capital Budget

Secure $100 million annual allocation in capital budget for creation and preservation of affordable housing.  Affordable housing is a long-term asset that serves a public purpose.  Affordable housing is part of our basic infrastructure—just like roads, bridges, and schools—on which businesses and communities depend.  Housing construction and rehabilitation create good high-wage jobs around the state.

Homeless Service Provider Funding

Service providers are seeking $11.8 million in funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for FY09 to restore cuts in prior years.  Funding in FY08 is $9.4 million.  With increased funding, the City of Chicago and the 88 private agencies currently funded in the rest of the state will better assist people to move back into permanent housing.

SB2287 - Safe Homes Act Amendment

Restrict landlords from disclosing identify of tenants who made use of Safe Homes Act. The Safe Homes Act provides protections for survivors of domestic and sexual violence who live in rental housing.  Under certain circumstances, the Safe Homes Act allows survivors to have their locks changed and/or end their lease.

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HB5170 - Relocation Assistance Act/Slumlord Accountability Act

Require landlords to provide relocation assistance to tenants forced from their homes when there is a court order to vacate a building due to dangerous and unhealthy conditions caused by the landlord.

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SB2007 - Help Illinois Homeowners Protect Their Homes

Create additional notice requirements and remedies for homeowners, particularly for elderly and disabled homeowners, who lose their home to tax purchasers and tax scavengers that purchase homes for unpaid property taxes.

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HB5189 - Protect the Rights of Homeowners: End Leasing Restrictions

Through legislation protect condominium and townhouse owners, and those that rent their units, from changes in condominium association rules to eliminate rental units.

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Predatory Lending Database Program           

Work with state agencies to build capacity of HUD-certified housing counseling agencies to implement mandatory loan document file review required under Predatory Lending Database Program, which goes into effect in Cook County on July 1, 2008.  We also will work to ensure that the program receives adequate appropriations for fiscal year 2009.

Rental Housing Support Program Appropriations

This program, which provides rental subsidies and operating support for rental housing affordable to extremely low-income households, will be implemented statewide in 2008.  We will work to ensure that any fund balances from the program’s dedicated revenue source are appropriated for the program.