HB5508eng 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5508 Engrossed LRB100 16781 LNS 31921 b

AN ACT concerning human rights.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Access to Affordable, Permanent, and Supportive Housing and Services Act.

Section 5. Housing services and supports.

(a) If a unit of local government determines that a person experiencing homelessness is living in a public space, the unit of local government may do all of the following:

(1) Provide an assessment of the housing and service needs of the person. This assessment shall be administered by a housing or homeless service provider receiving federal, State, or local funds.

(2) Provide access to:

(A) either:

(i) permanent housing or permanent supportive housing; or

(ii) affordable housing as defined under the Illinois Affordable Housing Act; and

(B) appropriate supportive services including, but not limited to:

(i) job training;

(ii) substance abuse counseling;

(iii) mental health programs;

(iv) transportation;

(v) child care; and

(vi) other services deemed necessary by a case manager.

(b) Any person receiving assistance from a unit of local government in accordance with this Act shall have the right to request housing in a geographical area based on his or her ties to the community, access to services, access to ongoing employment, and access to public transportation.

(c) A unit of local government shall not require a person to vacate a public space unless adequate affordable housing, permanent housing, and supportive housing units are available within the unit of local government's geographic area and a permanent housing option is offered to that person.

(d) A person has the right to decline any housing assessment and services offered by a unit of local government in accordance with this Act.

(e) The Department of Human Services shall annually compile and distribute to each unit of local government a list of the homeless services and housing services available throughout Illinois.

(f) No unit of local government shall dispose of a person's personal belongings in any manner.

Section 10. Damages and attorney's fees. In any civil action alleging a violation of this Act, the plaintiff may request a trial by jury and the court may award appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief, actual damages, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff.