SB0190 Summary: Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act

• Requires each institution of higher education to designate at least one staff member as a HOUSE (Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students' Excellence) liaison to assist homeless and foster care students.

• Liaison responsibilities include understanding financial aid eligibility, identifying available services, assisting with federal and state aid applications, tracking graduation and retention rates, and publishing resources on institutional websites.

• Mandates institutions provide priority on-campus housing access to homeless and foster care students, including during academic breaks with waived fees, and allow part-time students experiencing homelessness to access housing.

• Requires the Board of Higher Education and Illinois Community College Board to provide annual liaison training developed by homeless advocacy organizations and issue annual reports on homeless and foster care student enrollment.

• After 3 academic years, if homeless or foster care students exceed 2% of an institution's student body, the institution must create a dedicated liaison position whose primary function is supporting these students.

• Effective date: August 1, 2022.