HB5838 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 29391 KTG 41383 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5838

Introduced 11/16/2022, by Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 1305/1-76 new
30 ILCS 105/5.990 new

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Transitional Shelter Village Pilot Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer a transitional shelter village pilot program to provide transitional shelter and housing to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Requires the Department to use funds appropriated for the pilot program to purchase materials to install a transitional shelter village in an area of the State with a high concentration of persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Requires the transitional shelter village to consist of no less than 55 climate-controlled prefabricated shelter units that are purchased from a public benefit corporation with a demonstrable commitment to end unsheltered homelessness. Requires each prefabricated shelter unit to be equipped with certain features. Provides that funds appropriated for the pilot program shall be used to cover the cost of purchasing, assembling, and installing the prefabricated shelter units. Requires the Department to also fund and provide continuous wraparound services aimed at helping residents of the shelter village transition out of homelessness. Requires appropriations made for the pilot program to be deposited into the Transitional Shelter Village Pilot Program Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Transitional Shelter Village Pilot Program Fund. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 1. This Act may be referred to as the Transitional Shelter Village Pilot Program Act.

Section 5. The Department of Human Services Act is amended by adding Section 1-76 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1305/1-76 new)

Sec. 1-76. Transitional Shelter Village Pilot Program.

(a) The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Homelessness is a matter of life and death. The scope of the homelessness crisis and the immediate need for housing in Illinois is staggering.

(2) In 2020, at least 10,431 Illinoisans experienced homelessness. When the number of people experiencing doubled-up homelessness is combined with those who requested services from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over the course of 2020, the count is over 65,000 people experiencing homelessness in Chicago alone.

(3) According to Illinois State Board of Education data, 47,455 school children were identified as experiencing homelessness in the 2019-2020 school year.

(4) Chronic homelessness has increased both in number and percentage. The percentage of the homeless population made up of chronically homeless rose from 9% in 2016 to 22% in 2020.

(5) People experiencing homelessness include those with substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS, serious mental illness, veterans, and survivors of domestic violence.

(6) Black people are 8 times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Black Illinoisans make up 14% of the population of the State, but they make up 61% of residents experiencing homelessness.

(7) Regions of the State with high concentrations of disabled populations are considered at greater risk for homelessness.

(8) People experiencing unsheltered homelessness may become frequent utilizers of hospital emergency rooms. Encampments, tents, cars, abandoned buildings, and park benches, are unsafe, unhealthy, and undignified, and unsheltered homelessness is especially dangerous during cold weather, heat waves, and extreme weather conditions.

(9) Crisis housing, the foundational safety net for persons in immediate need of shelter, includes overnight emergency and domestic violence shelters, transitional housing, recuperative care/medical respite, and recovery homes.

(10) During COVID-19, shelter capacity diminished significantly, and many areas across Illinois lack any fixed-site emergency shelters for people who are experiencing homelessness. Prior to the pandemic, a significant proportion of emergency shelter bed capacity included rotating, congregate shelter. Non-congregate shelter became necessary to protect highly vulnerable people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. The rotating shelter model, which has never been adequate for many reasons, no longer exists and building it back requires significant investment.

(11) Emergency housing provided through converted hotels, dorms, and schools and the construction of new non-congregate emergency housing is not expected to eliminate the need for other types of crisis housing.

(12) Crisis housing is a critical part of and the gateway to the continuum of housing, including affordable and permanent supportive housing. Illinois lacks sufficient crisis housing to meet its needs, allowing many people experiencing unsheltered homelessness to languish for months and even years until other housing options become available. There is an urgent need for effective, safe, and dignified non-congregate crisis housing.

(13) A model of rapid-response transitional shelter villages with case management has emerged. This model of transitional housing can serve as a bridge from unsheltered homelessness to long-term housing. The faster people are moved off the street, the sooner their path to stability can begin.

(14) Residents of these transitional shelter villages are connected to housing with wraparound social services such as mental health care from a local service provider and on-site amenities such as showers and laundry. With a safe place to sleep, a supportive environment, access to meals, hygiene facilities, and a case manager, residents can focus on finding permanent housing and employment opportunities.

(15) Transitional shelter villages combine the safety of private units with the benefits of a communal environment to offer residents security and pathway to stability. Residents can lock their belongings in their unit, access on-site social services, and be a part of a community.

(16) At least 9 other states across the country have successfully launched dozens of rapid-response transitional shelter villages and have achieved successful outcomes. Transitional shelter villages have been launched in cold weather climates including Madison, Wisconsin and Boston, Massachusetts.

(17) This model is more cost-effective than any institutional setting per person or unit, and can be built at a fraction of the cost of traditional homeless shelters, which can take years to build. Prefabricated shelters can be quickly installed and are proven to help people transition into permanent housing.

(18) It is therefore incumbent upon the State to explore this model to help meet crisis housing and emergency shelter needs by launching a pilot program to establish a transitional shelter village. This temporary transitional shelter housing opportunity will support the crisis housing and health needs of people currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish and administer a transitional shelter village pilot program to provide transitional shelter and housing to Illinois residents experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The Department shall use funds appropriated to the pilot program to purchase materials to install a transitional shelter village in an area of the State with a high concentration of persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The transitional shelter village must consist of no less than 55 climate-controlled prefabricated shelter units that are purchased from a public benefit corporation with a demonstrable commitment to end unsheltered homelessness. Each prefabricated shelter unit must be equipped with a wall-mounted heater, an air conditioner, electrical outlets, 2 foldable bunk beds, and a lockable door. The transitional shelter village must also include community bathroom units, a community laundry unit, and a communal unit for recreation and to access meals. Funds appropriated to the Department for the pilot program shall be used to cover the cost of purchasing, assembling, and installing the prefabricated shelter units. The Department shall also fund and provide continuous wraparound services under the pilot program that are aimed at helping residents of the shelter village transition out of homelessness. The Department shall provide these wraparound services in coordination with one or more social service providers or providers of case management services.

Any money appropriated to the transitional shelter village pilot program shall be deposited into the Transitional Shelter Village Pilot Program Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Money in the Fund shall be used by the Department for the Transitional Shelter Village Pilot Program and for no other purpose. All interest earned on money in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund.

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.990 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.990 new)

Sec. 5.990. The Transitional Shelter Village Pilot Program Fund.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.