104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB1436
 
Introduced , by Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
20 ILCS 3805/7.34 new
30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new
    Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority to establish and administer a Housing Hardship Program to provide up to 3 months of emergency rental or mortgage assistance or up to $1,600 per month for 3 months, whichever is less, to eligible applicants who demonstrate a hardship or other extenuating circumstances that place them at risk of eviction or foreclosure. Lists certain financial hardships that qualify for assistance under the program. Provides that applicants may apply for assistance once every 2 years regardless of household income. Requires applicants to submit a financial affidavit supported by banking statements and other documentary evidence as prescribed by the Authority. Requires the Authority to provide assistance to eligible applicants based upon the following factors in order of priority: (1) Whether the applicant has never previously received housing or public assistance from any other State or federal program. (2) If the applicant has previously received housing or public assistance, the number of times the applicant received such assistance. (3) The severity of the applicant's declared hardship or circumstances. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Housing Hardship Program Fund. 


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A BILL FOR
 
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1    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Housing Development Act is amended 
5by adding Section 7.34 as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 3805/7.34 new)
7    Sec. 7.34. Housing Hardship Program.
8    (a) The Authority shall establish and administer a Housing 
9Hardship Program. The Authority shall use moneys in the 
10Housing Hardship Program Fund, and any other funds 
11appropriated for this purpose, to provide up to 3 months of 
12emergency rental or mortgage assistance or up to $1,600 per 
13month for 3 months, whichever is less, to eligible applicants 
14who demonstrate a hardship or other extenuating circumstances 
15that place them at risk of eviction or foreclosure. To be 
16eligible for assistance, an applicant must demonstrate one of 
17the following hardships or extenuating circumstances:
18        (1) Recent divorce.
19        (2) Loss of employment.
20        (3) Loss of income.
21        (4) Incurred funeral expenses following the unexpected 
22    death of a spouse or dependent.
23        (5) Short-term disability.
 
 
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1        (6) Taking unpaid medical leave to care for self, 
2    spouse, dependent, or aging family member.
3        (7) Medical expenses for the applicant, spouse, or 
4    dependent that resulted in substantial debt.
5    (b) Applicants may apply for assistance under the program 
6once every 2 years regardless of household income. When 
7applying for assistance, an applicant must submit a financial 
8affidavit supported by banking statements and other 
9documentary evidence as prescribed by the Authority. An 
10applicant shall not be eligible for assistance under the 
11program if the applicant's banking statements or other 
12documentary evidence indicates a large withdrawal of funds, as 
13determined by the Authority, from the applicant's checking or 
14savings account prior to the applicant submitting an 
15application for assistance. The Authority shall provide 
16assistance to eligible applicants based upon the following 
17factors in order of priority:
18        (1) Whether the applicant has never previously 
19    received housing or public assistance from any other State 
20    or federal program.
21        (2) If the applicant has previously received housing 
22    or public assistance from any other State or federal 
23    program, the number of times the applicant received such 
24    assistance. 
25        (3) The severity of the applicant's declared hardship 
26    or circumstances. 
 
 
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1    (c) The Housing Hardship Program Fund is created as a 
2special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall consist of 
3any moneys appropriated for the Housing Hardship Program and 
4all interest earned on moneys in the Fund. Subject to 
5appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be used by the 
6Authority to provide emergency rental and mortgage assistance 
7under the Housing Hardship Program and for no other purpose. 
 
8    Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding 
9Section 5.1030 as follows:
 
10    (30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new)
11    Sec. 5.1030. Housing Hardship Program Fund.