PEORIA, Ill. – Local legislative leaders spoke in Peoria Monday about Illinois’ newest program dedicated to addressing homelessness.
“Home Illinois” is a $350 million program part of the FY24 budget. It focuses on funding in areas such as homelessness prevention, increased housing units, and crisis response.
Democrat State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, one of the lead negotiators for her party on the state budget, says a program like “Home Illinois” would not have been possible five to six years ago when there was no budget.
“There were no investments like this because, frankly, at that point in time, our vendors were our lenders,” Gordon-Booth said. “The very people who we are supposed to be uplifting, we were taking from those entities. Because they were trying to manage how to keep staff, how to continue be able to provide the resources.”
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali says the city will be receiving more funding and resources with “Home Illinois,” adding that it will help with a key priority for the city.
“A key to ending homelessness is ensuring safe, affordable housing for all of our residents,” Ali said. “Housing is a fundamental right.”
Ali says some of the areas the funding will go towards include acquiring vacant properties to attract affordable housing developers, utility assistance, and a down payment program for people to help buy homes.
