Housing (Affordable Housing)

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.

Creates the Affordable Communities Act. Defines "zoning unit" as a county, municipality, or township that has adopted zoning regulations, and defines other terms. Provides that, on and after June 1, 2026, for a zoning unit with a population equal to or greater than 100,000, regulations may not prevent the development of any middle housing types permitted in the zoning unit through unreasonable costs, delay, or procedural requirements. Allows zoning units to regulate middle housing to comply with protective measures adopted under statewide land use planning goals. Requires adoption of zoning ordinances and zoning maps consistent with the Act by June 1, 2026 for zoning units with a population equal to or greater than 100,000. Provides that the Illinois Housing Development Authority shall develop a model middle housing ordinance that must be used if a zoning unit fails to adopt the required ordinance or zoning map. Allows the Authority to grant exceptions to compliance under specified situations. Requires the Authority to adopt rules regarding the form and substance of a zoning unit's application for an extension, and allows the Authority to adopt other rules relating an extension. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Authority emergency rulemaking authority to implement the Affordable Communities Act. Effective immediately.

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.

Creates the Housing Equity, Affordability, and Development Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall collect a fee from landlords with more than 5 units in an amount equal to 5% of the difference between their monthly rental income for a unit and $1,200, unless the rental income for the unit is less than $1,200, to be paid into the Housing Equity, Affordability, and Development Fund. The Illinois Housing Development Authority shall create a program under the Act to assist in home purchases for households whose tenant payments to the landlord have been more than 30% of their income for a period of 12 calendar months, and whose income is less than 3.33 times the median rent for their metropolitan area; or if the household does not live in a metropolitan area, 3.33 times the median rent in the closest metropolitan area. Provides that assistance shall be limited to $15,000 per household.

Creates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act. Provides that owners of qualified low-income housing developments are eligible for credits against the taxes imposed by the Illinois Income Tax Act or taxes, penalties, fees, charges, and payments imposed by the Illinois Insurance Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who (1) paid rent on a personal residence in Illinois for at least 6 months during the taxable year; (2) are not claimed as a dependent on someone else's federal income taxes for the taxable year; and (3) have a federal adjusted gross income of less than $83,250, if the taxpayer is married filing a joint return, or $40,770, if the taxpayer is not married filing a joint return. Provides that, if the taxpayer is married filing a joint return, then the amount of the credit is $1,000 for both taxpayers as a single unit. Provides that, if the taxpayer is not married filing a joint return, then the amount of the credit is $500. Effective immediately.

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.

Amends the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Exempts any tiny home for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing, if that tiny home is constructed by a specified nonprofit organization that exclusively funds and administers tiny homes for veterans. Provides that every county and municipality that has the power to issue building permits and otherwise control the construction of buildings shall require by ordinance that an applicant seeking a building permit to construct tiny homes for at-risk veterans must include with the permit application a completed and signed affidavit stating that all buildings constructed under the permit are designated for the exclusive use of qualifying veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing. Prohibits a county or municipality, including a home rule unit, from adopting any building code or ordinance that requires EV-capable parking spaces for tiny homes constructed for the purpose of providing affordable housing for at-risk veterans under the provisions. Effective immediately.

This bill proposes the appointment of Alan James Zais. If approved, Mr. Zais would serve as a Member of the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission.

This bill proposes the nomination of Phyllis B. Mitzen. If approved, she would become a member of the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission.