House Sponsors: HAMOS-BURKE-BOST-MCCARTHY-HOEFT, MULLIGAN, SCOTT, SILVA, DAVIS,MONIQUE, JONES,LOU, HOWARD, KENNER, SHARP, OSTERMAN AND LANG. Short description: HOMEOWNER MORTGAGE ASSISSTANCE Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Creates the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program. Provides that the Illinois Housing Authority or not-for-profit corporations designated by the Authority may make payments on mortgages for single-family residences under certain circumstances. Provides that when a mortgagor applies for assistance from the Authority or a designated agency, the mortgagee may not accelerate the maturity of a mortgage or commence or continue foreclosure and other legal proceedings. Sets the requirements for the application for mortgage assistance. Requires a mortgagor to make monthly payments to the Authority or designated agency when receiving mortgage assistance. Provides for the repayment of mortgage assistance by the mortgagor. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Further amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Provides that a person is eligible for assistance when, among other things, at least one full monthly installment (instead of 2 full monthly installments) is unpaid after the application of partial payments to the account. Deletes a provision that a person is eligible for assistance when that person is unable to make full mortgage payments before the expiration of a 60-day period beginning on the date that the mortgagee sent notice to the mortgagor of intent to foreclose. Deletes provisions prohibiting a mortgagee from taking certain legal actions during the 30-day period after notice is sent to the mortgagor, during the 30 day period after an initial meeting between the mortgagor and an agency, during the period in which an application for assistance is pending, or if payments toward the mortgage are being made through the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program. Deletes provisions concerning the requirements for the notice of legal action. Provides that a mortgagee must include in the first delinquency notice a statement that the mortgagor may be eligible for the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program by calling a toll-free number. Requires the Chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority to administer the toll-free number and to provide referrals to designated agencies. Allows a person to request assistance from a designated agency or from any other agency providing financial counseling assistance. Provides that this amendatory Act shall not be construed to impair the legal right of mortgagees to enforce contracts or mortgage agreements. Makes other changes. STATE MANDATES NOTE, H-AM 1 (Dept. of Commerce and Community Affairs) HB 4324 does not meet the definition of a State mandate under the State Mandates Act. HOUSING AFFORDABILITY NOTE, H-AM 1 (Housing Development Auth.) There will be no fiscal effect on constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single family residence due to this legislation. FISCAL NOTE (Housing Development Authority) The long range fiscal effect on IHDA is unknown. Data from a similar program in Pennsylvania indicate that since 1984 there have been 88,450 applications and 25,792 mortgage assistance loans with a total appropriation (excluding general and admin- istrative costs) of $177.45 million. The program's staff has grown from 7 to 37 with an annual administrative budget of $3 million, including $1 million for local housing counseling agencies. Loan collections exceeded disbursements for the first time in FY 99 although general and administrative costs were funded with repayments. As a result, additional general revenue funds were not appropriated to the agency last fiscal year. Pennsylvania has disbursed loans totaling $272.7 million and written off approximately $48.7 million. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (Housing Development Authority) Same as previous fiscal note. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status