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Bill

HB 5737

HOME FOR GOOD ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Barbara Hernandez and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a statewide program to provide housing and wraparound reentry services for individuals released from IDOC custody, with coordinated funding, assessments, and support.

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Bill Summary · HB 5737

Overview

HB5737 proposes the Home for Good Act, a statewide reentry housing program in Illinois aimed at providing housing and integrated services to individuals released from Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) custody on or after January 1, 2027. The program is a collaboration among IHDA (Illinois Housing Development Authority), ICJIA (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority), IDOC, and community-based organizations, with an emphasis on both transitional and permanent affordable housing and wraparound reentry services.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a unified, statewide reentry housing program to reduce housing instability and recidivism among returning residents.
  • Align housing resources, subsidies, services, and training under a coordinated framework to support successful reintegration.
  • Demonstrate a long-term return on investment through reduced incarceration costs and improved public safety.

Key provisions and changes

  • Targeted population: Persons released from IDOC custody on or after January 1, 2027, eligible to enroll in the program for up to 5 years from release.
  • IHDA responsibilities (beginning Jan 1, 2027):
    • Provide resources to applicants to acquire, develop, and rehabilitate permanent affordable housing units and transitional housing units designated for the targeted population.
    • Use the existing Housing for Justice Involved Individuals Program model for granting and applications.
    • Provide site-based rental subsidies to community-based organizations (CBOs) to enable lease agreements, master leases, and tenant-based subsidies for program participants.
  • ICJIA responsibilities (beginning Jan 1, 2027):
    • Provide resources to CBOs for case management, reentry navigation, and supportive services (housing, health, education, transportation, job training, document acquisition, basic needs).
    • Create regional networks of participating CBOs and housing providers to deliver services and housing.
  • Housing needs assessment (beginning Jan 1, 2027):
    • A housing needs assessment tool shall be administered to all individuals exiting IDOC custody within 12–18 months of release.
    • At least 18 months prior to release, individuals must be informed of the assessment and their right to opt out; IDOC to facilitate access by CBOs with reentry expertise.
    • Assessment to be administered by CBOs with expertise in reentry, behavioral health, and housing; should be conducted with regular access to IDOC facilities and/or, for those already exited, provide contact information for administering CBOs.
    • The assessment determines housing instability risk and behavioral health needs; behavioral health data may inform housing strategies but shall not disqualify individuals from the program.
  • Interagency Reentry Workgroup:
    • Create a cross-agency workgroup to coordinate housing and support services for the targeted population; chaired by the ICJIA Executive Director.
    • Include senior leadership from IDOC, IHDA, and other key partners.
  • Home for Good Institute (training and technical assistance):
    • Established by IHDA to train CBOs intending to acquire, develop, rehabilitate, or operate housing for the targeted population.
    • Successful completion of Institute training yields additional funding weight in IHDA funding applications.
  • Home for Good Advisory Committee:
    • Advisory body housed at ICJIA, up to 25 members, to identify program priorities and coordinate across agencies and CBOs.
    • Members include senior agency leaders, reentry advocates (including previously incarcerated individuals), affordable housing representatives, researchers, homeless service leaders, community members from diverse areas, and appointments by legislative leaders.
    • At least 5 members appointed by the Governor shall have personal incarceration and reentry experience.
  • Reporting and oversight:
    • An annual public report is due by January 31 of each year (starting 2028) detailing:
    • Demographics and number served
    • Program effectiveness against established criteria
    • Housing units made available and waitlist metrics (demographics, wait times)
    • Participation in housing needs assessments and opt-out rates
    • Return on investment through savings and economic activity
    • Forecasts of housing needs and at-risk populations
    • Recommendations for program improvements and housing stock needs
  • Rules and implementation:
    • IHDA, ICJIA, and IDOC to jointly adopt rules describing the housing needs assessment process and administration by eligible CBOs, including timing (no later than 12 months prior to release) and assessment criteria.

Who is affected

  • Targeted population: Individuals released from IDOC custody on or after January 1, 2027.
  • State agencies: IHDA, ICJIA, and IDOC, which must implement program elements, provide resources, and coordinate across agencies.
  • Community-based organizations: Eligible non-profits delivering housing and reentry services; eligible for IHDA subsidies and ICJIA-supported case management funding.
  • Housing providers and developers: Potential recipients of IHDA resources and subsidies to create or rehabilitate housing for the targeted population.
  • Advisory Committee members and regional networks: Stakeholders from government, reentry advocacy, housing, and community sectors, including previously incarcerated individuals.

Timelines and milestones

  • January 1, 2027: Program onset for IHDA housing resources, subsidies, and ICJIA-supported services; housing needs assessment begins for individuals exiting IDOC within 12–18 months of release.
  • January 31, 2028, and annually thereafter: Public reporting requirement to General Assembly and Governor.
  • Early 2027 onward: Establishment of Home for Good Institute and regional networks; formation of Interagency Reentry Workgroup and Home for Good Advisory Committee.
  • Rules to be adopted by IHDA, ICJIA, and IDOC to operationalize assessments and program processes.

Effective date

  • Immediate effect upon becoming law (as introduced, with multiple provisions taking effect on January 1, 2027, and ongoing thereafter).

This summary captures the bill’s core structure: creating a unified, funded framework to provide housing and reentry services for individuals leaving IDOC custody, with explicit roles for IHDA and ICJIA, a housing needs assessment, training institutes, advisory bodies, and annual public reporting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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