SPRINGFIELD – To ensure families with limited economic resources have access to affordable, permanent housing, State Senator Cristina Castro is co-sponsoring legislation to provide increased funding for the Rental Housing Support Program.

“Housing instability is a main driver of homelessness, incarceration, health disparities and more,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Prioritizing the equitable distribution of funds in this program will assist families with limited income in finding affordable homes.”

Since 2005, the Rental Housing Support Program has provided rental assistance to households by subsidizing rental apartments and homes so that low-income families only have to pay 30% of their rent while living in a partnered home or complex. The program is designed to subsidize landlords so they can charge affordable rent for low-income tenants. This legislation will provide more funding to further support the Rental Housing Support Program.

The bill also creates the Illinois Rental Housing Support Program Funding Allocation Task Force to study and make recommendations on the best ways to prioritize the equitable distribution of affordable housing resources across the state.

“Affordable housing must be easily accessible,” Castro said. “Ensuring the Rental Housing Support Program is properly funded provides security and stability to renters and will help put us on a path to tackling the rising cost of living.”

House Bill 3878 passed both chambers and now heads to the governor for consideration.