AGENDA and MINUTES - Pillar 2 Subcommittee Meeting June 5, 2024

Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security

Subcommittee on Pillar 2: Stabilize Homes and Communities

Meeting Agenda and Minutes

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 10:00-11:00 AM

Recording

*Members:

Appointment Member Affiliation
Commission Member, Subcommittee chair Senator Dale Fowler Illinois State Senator
Commission Member Mark Eichenlaub Regional Superintendent of Schools, St. Clair County Regional Office of Education #50
Commission Member Pastor Jason McKinnies Senior Pastor, Southern Illinois Worship Center
Commission Member Juan Calderon Chief Operating Officer, The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
Commission Member Senator Kimberly Lightford Illinois State Senator
IWGP Member Elizabeth Vogt Senior Policy Advisor, Department on Aging
IWGP Member Marc Staley Deputy Director, Illinois Governor's Office of Management and Budget
IWGP Member Dr. Janice Phillips Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Public Health
IWGP Member Jason Horwitz Deputy Director for Policy Development Planning and Research, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
IWGP Member Emily Mueller AD of Policy and Research
Public Member Emily Metz Director for Housing Stability and Inclusive Economy Lab, Chicago
Public Member Hope Babowice President, Mundelein High School Education Support Association
Public Member Courtney Groves Illinois Education Association-Government-Relations Department
Public Member Keesha Readus Communications Associate at Illinois Education Association
Public Member Kimberly Mercer-Schleider Director, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
Public Member/IDHS SME Felicia Gray Associate Director, Division of Early Childhood, Illinois Department of Human Services
Public Member/IDHS SME Christine Haley Statewide Homelessness Chief; Illinois Department of Human Services
Public Member/IDHS SME Amanda Lake Senior Policy Advisor, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Public Member/IDHS SME Ryan Rollinson Chief of Staff, Division of Mental Health
Public Member/IDHS SME Quiwana Bell Assistant Secretary, Office of Firearm Violence Prevention

Administrator: Priya Khatkhate, IDHS-Chief Policy Officer

Guests/Facilitators:

  1. Matthew Rodriguez - Institute of Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP)
  2. Nancy Toure - IRRPP

Agenda:

  1. Introductions/Welcome Roll Call
  2. Public Comment - subject to written comment in advance
  3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: September 29, 2023, November 21, 2023 and February 14, 2024
  4. Review of Goals and Collective Input
    1. Goal 1 - Fund or support the development of at least 300 supportive housing units through various programming (Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program, Statewide Referral Network units, etc.)
    2. Goal 2 - Research the existence and impact of different rent control models and document their findings for future advocacy efforts
    3. Goal 3 - Design an advocacy strategy to influence legislation that will limit the impact of credit checks for rental housing
    4. Goal 4 - Create a map of housing affordability and availability for three prioritized regions and comprehensively analyze the map to identify gaps, with special attention toward availability for individuals with a disability, mental illness, or substance use disorder. Lessons learned will be applied in future efforts to build this same kind of map statewide
    5. Goal 5 - Craft a vision with clear goals and strategic action for each area of work within Pillar 2 beyond FY24 with special attention toward investment in (a) high-quality, specialized supports for persons experiencing mental health and substance use related crises, and (b) interventions that address cycles of trauma and violence in our communities
  5. Discussion - FY25 Goal Planning
  6. Next Steps
  7. Adjournment

Minutes

Subcommittee members in attendance:

  1. Senator Dale Fowler - Subcommittee chairman; Commission member
  2. Kimberly Tate - representative of Senator Kimberly Lightford, Commission member
  3. Elizabeth Vogt - IWGP member
  4. Dr. Janice Phillips - IWGP member
  5. Marc Staley - IWGP member
  6. Jason Horwitz - IWGP member
  7. Keesha Reedus - public member
  8. Kevin Brown - IDHS SME/Public Member

Administrator: Priya Khatkhate, IDHS-Chief Policy Officer

Guests/Facilitators:

  1. Matthew Rodriguez - Institute of Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP)
  2. Nancy Toure - IRRPP

Minutes:

  1. Introductions/Welcome Roll Call - Administrator Khatkhate led the roll call and introductions.
  2. Public Comment - subject to written comment in advance; none received.
  3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: September 29, 2023, November 21, 2023 and February 14, 2024 - quorum was not attained, approval of minutes will be done on the next meeting
  4. Review of Goals and Collective Input
    1. Goal 1 - Fund or support the development of at least 300 supportive housing units through various programming (Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program, Statewide Referral Network units, etc.)
      • 14 new developments were approved under IHDA's Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program which includes 393 units (more than the 300 new units targeted for goal 1).
      • Senator asked for the breakdown on the location of the 393 units and the determination process for the location. Priya will get the information from IHDA.
    2. Goal 2 - Research the existence and impact of different rent control models and document their findings for future advocacy efforts
      • Deliverables include the fact sheet that Matthew and Nancy put together Pillar 2 Rent Control Fact Sheet - Google Docs and a 2-pager analysis Rent Control Analysis - Google Docs put together by Ms. Hope Babowice
      • The next step as a FY25 goal might be look at the research and design or influence some sort of work towards adjustments at the policy or legislative level.
    3. Goal 3 - Design an advocacy strategy to influence legislation that will limit the impact of credit checks for rental housing
    4. Goal 4 - Create a map of housing affordability and availability for three prioritized regions and comprehensively analyze the map to identify gaps, with special attention toward availability for individuals with a disability, mental illness, or substance use disorder. Lessons learned will be applied in future efforts to build this same kind of map statewide
      • Priya and Nancy have been meeting with IECAM and DEC regarding the Affordability Risk Index Map and discussing how it can be refined or modified in a way that would meet the needs of the subcommittee
    5. Goal 5 - Craft a vision with clear goals and strategic action for each area of work within Pillar 2 beyond FY24 with special attention toward investment in (a) high-quality, specialized supports for persons experiencing mental health and substance use related crises, and (b) interventions that address cycles of trauma and violence in our communities
  5. Discussion - FY25 Goal Planning
    • Matthew will share the draft document/Pillar 2 accomplishments report with Senator Fowler for feedbacks in case there are some things missing
    • Liz raised that some of the goals will likely depend on the budget and available funding
    • Marc recommended to again stick to a number (keeping 300 or a relative number) for permanent support of housing with IHDA which is funded to continue working on development of units. IDHS also has budget for the Home Illinois Program which will also support supportive housing and rental assistance.
    • With regards to the write-up on rent control, Marc raised whether it opens the door for legislation or policy changes or if legislation is too big of a step right now.
    • Matthew pointed out that there are gaps in the goals in relation to the focus areas of Pillar 2. The focus areas are:
      1. Reduce Homelessness by Half and Ensure Housing Affordability and Accessibility
      2. Invest in High-Quality, Specialized Supports for Persons Experiencing Mental Health and Substance Use Related Crises
      3. Invest in Interventions that Address Cycles of Trauma and Violence in our Communities
    • The FY24 goals capture focus area 1 but not focus areas 2 and 3. Kevin Brown might be able to help in giving insight on what could be a goal that would answer focus area 3.
    • Marc mentioned that there is an ongoing fund at DHS both in DMH and SUPR as well as Home Illinois and some of it are targeted for supportive housing for the specific populations under focus area 2. These do not necessarily have to be stated in a goal but can be acknowledged that these are happening. Priya can get the information from DMH, SUPR and Home Illinois.
    • For focus area 3, Matthew raised that investments on employment opportunities could be a potential discussion for FY25 goals.
    • Jason mentioned re-entry job training for formerly incarcerated and job placement which is something that DCEO is investing on more particularly thru CEJA which prioritizes certain populations such as those coming out of foster care and others. This can be an additional goal for FY25.
    • Kevin mentioned that DHS has investments thru HFS around re-entry with impacts not just in Cook County but across the state. Underlying issues should also be addressed for these individuals to be successful.
    • Dr. Phillips mentioned pushing for more job trainings in high schools especially for those college bound or linking with trades for training and opportunities.
    • Matthew also brought up alternative schools for young people who are experiencing poverty and how to make investments related to employment.
    • Senator shared that there is a program by an organization working with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) for job training for youth on solar installation. Thousands of acres of solar fields are being developed especially in Southern Illinois. The program is in the infancy stage but getting ready to kick off in the next couple of weeks where the youth will have onsite training on solar panel installation in the fields. Senator added that these youth will also be engaged in by another organization who are building the 3D printed homes in Southern Illinois.
    • Liz added that if there is money, maybe in the ISBE budget, priority could be given to supporting schools who want to become trauma-informed schools and have their teachers become trauma-informed certified educators. There are curriculums available for educators who want to become certified in trauma-informed practices. Certain areas can be targeted based on demographics, where there are highest needs and highest levels of violence and trauma.
    • Matthew requested Jason, Kevin and Liz to draft goals on the ideas they raised.
  6. Next Steps
    • Matthew will follow up with Jason re draft goal on re-entry job training work; with Kevin re draft goal on holistic re-entry approach; with Liz re draft goal on potentially involving ISBE and how to influence investment for increasing trauma-informed practice certifications
    • Draft goals will be circulated with Senator and the group to get feedback
  7. Adjournment - Senator Fowler moved for adjournment seconded by Jason. The group unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 10:52 AM.