Housing (Property Development)

Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act. Permits the following persons to appeal a municipality's denial of a proposed supportive housing project, including a project to develop a permanent supportive housing apartment building or community integrated-living arrangement, for low-income persons with disabilities: (1) the affordable housing developer of the proposed project; (2) a person who would be eligible to apply for residency in the proposed project; and (3) the community group or supportive housing advocacy group advocating for the proposed project. Provides that if a municipality fails to respond to an appeal within 60 days of its receipt, the State Housing Appeals Board (Board) shall automatically reverse the municipality's decision to deny the proposed supportive housing project. Provides that if the municipality timely responds to the appeal, it must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed supportive housing project would be detrimental to the fair operation and interest of the municipality or would place an unreasonable and disproportionate financial burden on the municipality or on municipal services. Requires the Board to reverse the municipality's decision to deny the proposed supportive housing project if the Board determines that the municipality has not met this burden.

This bill proposes the nomination of Daniel Keith Hayes to serve as a Member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority. This action would appoint Mr. Hayes to a role within the state agency responsible for housing development initiatives.

Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. In provisions requiring the Illinois Housing Development Authority to determine which local governments are exempt from the requirements of the Act, requires the Authority to collect data on owner-occupied and rental units for each local government as follows: (1) by totaling the number of owner-occupied housing units in each local government that are affordable to households with a gross household income that is less than 80% of the median household income and is between 80% and 140% of the median household income within the county or primary metropolitan statistical area; and (2) by totaling the number of rental units in each local government that are affordable to households with a gross household income that is less than 60% of the median household income and is between 80% and 140% of the median household income within the county or primary metropolitan statistical area. Provides that data collected for the 80% AMI to 140% AMI households is to be used for informational purposes and shall not factor into the determination of exempt local governments.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits a landlord or lessor from refusing to rent to, deny housing to, or impose conditions on a lessee or tenant based on the breed of a dog or dogs in residential housing that contains more than 3 units of housing. Provides that nothing in the Act affects the ability of a unit of local government to enforce provisions of the Animal Control Act regarding a dangerous dog or vicious dog. Provides that if a lessor or landlord violates these provisions, upon request of the affected lessee or tenant, the Illinois Housing Development Authority must investigate the matter. Provides that if the Authority finds that a lessor or landlord has violated the Act, it must commence an action or proceeding in the circuit court of the county in which the premises are situated to stop the violation either by mandamus or injunction. Provides that the amendatory Act applies to a renewal or modification of residential leases that contain more than 3 units of housing after the effective date of the Act and for new residential leases entered into after that date.

Creates the Illinois Middle-Income Housing Grant Pilot Act. Provides that subject to appropriation for this purpose, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (Authority) shall establish and administer a 3-year Illinois Middle-Income Housing Grant Pilot Program to facilitate housing development in targeted communities across the State of Illinois. Provides that eligible grant applicants shall include developers specifically in any community with an authorized River Edge Redevelopment Zone. Provides that any community within this designation is eligible to apply to support projects within such communities. Permits the Authority to enter into a subcontract agreement with developers with qualified residences. Provides that awards can be used for both redevelopment and new development projects; and that grant proposals may be submitted to the Authority directly to be used as a part of a development agreement with an eligible developer. Contains provisions on rules to implement the pilot program, grant award amounts, project costs limits, and other matters. Creates the Illinois Middle-Income Housing Grant Pilot Program Fund to consist of any moneys appropriated for the pilot program. Amends the State Finance Act by adding the Illinois Middle-Income Housing Grant Pilot Program Fund to the list of State funds.

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago for costs associated with funding equitable mortgage lending, homeownership rehabilitation and development, and homebuyer subsidies and support. Effective July 1, 2025.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Illinois Middle-Income Housing Grant Pilot Program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a county opting out of the special assessment programs to reduce the assessed value of certain residential real property shall not disqualify or shorten the maximum eligibility periods for any property approved to receive a reduced valuation prior to the county opting out. Requires that the special assessment programs be available to all qualifying residential real property regardless of whether or not the property has or is currently receiving any other public financing or subsidies or subject to any regulatory agreements with any public entity, or both. If an owner is approved for the reduced valuation prior to December 31, 2037 and the provisions are not subsequently extended, this shall not disqualify or shorten the maximum eligibility periods for any property approved to receive a reduced valuation. Provides that, if the chief county assessment officer has not created application forms, the chief county assessment officer shall make publicly available and accept applications forms that shall be available to local governments from the Illinois Department of Revenue. If a county Internet website exists, the application materials, as well as any other program requirements used by the county (such as application deadlines, fees, and other procedures required by the application) must be published on that website, otherwise it must be available to the public upon request at the office of the chief county assessment officer. On an annual basis, requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority to calculate and make available on its website the minimum per square foot expenditure requirements to be applicable statewide to be eligible for the reduced valuation, which shall include the historical annual expenditure requirements starting with calendar year 2021. Changes reference to improvements to existing residential real property to substantially rehabilitated residential real property. Makes other changes.

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago for costs associated with funding equitable mortgage lending, homeownership rehabilitation and development, and homebuyer subsidies and support. Effective July 1, 2025.

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.