310 ILCS 70/ Homelessness Prevention Act.

(310 ILCS 70/1) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1301)

Sec. 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Homelessness Prevention Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-1454.)

(310 ILCS 70/2) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1302)

Sec. 2. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds that homelessness frequently results from a temporary economic crisis such as a temporary loss of employment, medical emergency, or loss or interruption of public benefits. It is also found that the prevention of homelessness, as opposed to providing temporary shelter or offering other short-term solutions to persons who become homeless, is cost-effective, preserves family self-respect and helps to keep families intact.

The General Assembly also finds that short-term interventions for the prevention of homelessness serve to prevent the need for long-term assistance programs that are more costly to taxpayers.

(Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.)

(310 ILCS 70/3) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1303)

Sec. 3. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Human Services (acting as successor to the Illinois Department of Public Aid under the Department of Human Services Act).

"Grantee" means a county, a township, a municipality, or an Illinois not-for-profit corporation receiving grants authorized by this Act.

"Household" means 2 or more persons residing together, or a person living alone.

"Service area" means the county, township, municipality, or other geographical area served by a grantee under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.)

(310 ILCS 70/4) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1304)

Sec. 4. Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program.

(a) The Department shall establish a family homelessness prevention and assistance program to stabilize families in their existing homes, to shorten the amount of time that families stay in emergency shelters, and to assist families with securing affordable transitional or permanent housing. The Department shall make grants, from funds appropriated to it, to develop and implement homelessness prevention and assistance projects under this Act.

(b) Grants may be made from funds appropriated for the purposes of this Act and from any federal funds or funds from other sources which are made available for the purposes of this Act. Grants shall be made under this Act only to the extent that funds are available.

(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)

(310 ILCS 70/4.5)

Sec. 4.5. Grant eligibility. The Department shall award grants to grantees that agree to focus their emergency response systems on homeless prevention and securing permanent or transitional housing for homeless households. The Department shall consider the extent to which the proposed project activities demonstrate ways in which existing resources in a service area may be more effectively coordinated. Priority in awarding grants will be given to applicants participating in an established continuum of care.

(Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.)

(310 ILCS 70/5) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1305)

Sec. 5. Eligibility for assistance. Grantees may offer assistance to households in their service area when:

(a) (Blank);

(b) the household is in imminent danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness, or is currently homeless;

(c) the household documents a temporary economic crisis beyond the household's control, evidenced by at least one of the following conditions:

(1) loss of employment;

(2) medical disability or emergency;

(3) loss or delay of some form of public benefits;

(4) natural disaster;

(5) substantial change in household composition;

(6) victimization by criminal activity;

(7) illegal action by a landlord;

(8) displacement by government or private action; or

(9) some other condition which constitutes a hardship comparable to the other conditions enumerated above;

(d) other federal, State or local housing subsidies are unavailable; and

(e) the applicant demonstrates an ability to meet the prospective rental obligation after the assistance has been granted based on current or anticipated income.

(Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.)

(310 ILCS 70/6) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1306)

Sec. 6. Forms of assistance. Assistance offered to households by grantees shall include but not be limited to the following:

(a) payment of a rent or mortgage arrearage;

(b) payment of a security deposit;

(b-5) payment of rent or mortgage;

(c) payment of utility bills and arrearages; or

(d) support services, where appropriate, to prevent homelessness or repeated episodes of homelessness.

In no case shall the total assistance for a household be greater than the equivalent of 6 months of rent or mortgage payments.

(Source: P.A. 101-280, eff. 1-1-20.)

(310 ILCS 70/7) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1307)

Sec. 7. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-1454. Repealed by P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.)

(310 ILCS 70/8) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1308)

Sec. 8. Payment of assistance. Assistance provided under this Act may be paid to a landlord, mortgage company, utility company, or other vendor who provides housing or other services to an applicant for assistance.

(Source: P.A. 96-291, eff. 8-11-09.)

(310 ILCS 70/9) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1309)

Sec. 9. Staff accepting applications; training and experience. A grantee's staff accepting applications from households for assistance under the program shall be trained or experienced in the following: the operation of the program and any regulations adopted in relation to the program by the Department; identification of federal, State and local agencies and services which are relevant to the program and the program's clients; dissemination of information relating to the program; intake, screening and referral procedures; and other areas to be determined by the Department. If the Department contracts with a private entity for the operation of the program, the Department shall ensure that the staff of the entity have experience and training as specified in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.)

(310 ILCS 70/9.5)

Sec. 9.5. Consultation. Grantees shall consult on a regular basis with the local established continuum of care in preparing the project proposal and in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the project.

(Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.)

(310 ILCS 70/10) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1310)

Sec. 10. (a) Program staff shall, whenever practicable, negotiate with the landlord of a household approved for assistance under the program to enable the household to remain in its current housing.

(b) Program staff shall, when there has been a loss of public benefits to the household, take all practicable steps to assist in the restoration of the household's public benefits.

(c) Program staff shall identify, and assist households in applying for, any form of public benefits or entitlements for which the household may be eligible.

(d) Program staff shall, after the end of each State fiscal year and as determined by the Department of Human Services, determine whether the household has remained in the residence in which they were residing at the time assistance was provided, and determine whether the living situation of the household is stable.

(Source: P.A. 96-291, eff. 8-11-09.)

(310 ILCS 70/11) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1311)

Sec. 11. The program shall provide for outreach to persons who are likely to be in need of assistance. Such outreach may include, but shall not be limited to, general publicity, and cooperation with other agencies and court and sheriff's personnel involved in eviction matters.

(Source: P.A. 86-1454.)

(310 ILCS 70/12) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1312)

Sec. 12. Assistance received under this Act shall not be considered to be income in determining a recipient's eligibility for other State assistance programs or for State tax purposes.

(Source: P.A. 86-1454.)

(310 ILCS 70/12.5)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-588)

Sec. 12.5. Administrative costs and case management expenses. On an annual basis, a grantee's administrative costs and case management expenses shall not exceed 15% of the grant amount it receives under the Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-280, eff. 1-1-20.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-588)

Sec. 12.5. Administrative costs and case management expenses. On an annual basis, a grantee's administrative costs and case management expenses shall not exceed 20% of the grant amount it receives under the Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 1-1-25.)

(310 ILCS 70/13) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1313)

Sec. 13. Report. The Department shall report on program activities that provide assistance or services to homeless persons under this Act as part of its annual report to the General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.)

(310 ILCS 70/14) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1314)

Sec. 14. The Department may promulgate such rules as may be necessary to implement this program.

(Source: P.A. 86-1454.)