IL HR0986

Urges the State of Illinois to launch a pilot project establishing a transitional shelter village to address unsheltered homelessness and provide crisis housing with health services.

Documents that at least 10,431 Illinoisans experienced homelessness in 2020, with over 65,000 people experiencing homelessness in Chicago when including doubled-up housing situations, and 47,455 school children identified as experiencing homelessness in 2019-2020.

Notes that Black Illinoisans comprise 14% of the state population but constitute 61% of people experiencing homelessness, and chronic homelessness increased from 9% of the homeless population in 2016 to 22% in 2020.

Describes the transitional shelter village model as combining private units with communal environments, case management, wraparound social services including mental health care, and on-site amenities such as showers and laundry to facilitate residents' transition to permanent housing and employment.

Identifies at least nine other states, including cold-weather climates like Wisconsin and Massachusetts, have successfully launched dozens of these villages as a cost-effective alternative to institutional settings that can be built and installed faster than traditional shelters.