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Legislative Committee Report

Legislative Committee Report. Summer Report August 13, 2013. Recap of legislative priorities. State Preserving Supportive Housing Service Funding Obtaining Funding for Services in New Supportive Housing

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Legislative Committee Report

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  1. Legislative Committee Report Summer Report August 13, 2013

  2. Recap of legislative priorities State • Preserving Supportive Housing Service Funding • Obtaining Funding for Services in New Supportive Housing • Medicaid Reform, Affordable Care Act Implementation (IDHFS), Coordinated Care Federal • HEARTH Act Funding - $2.4 Billion • HEARTH Act Implementation • Second Chance Act Funding to Prevent Homelessness for those leaving Corrections

  3. Summer’ is Hot , but ’’ finances in Illinois are still cold • The pension deficit is nearly $100 billion. • Backlogged bills have been reduced, but are still a big problem. • An influx of income tax payments in the Spring of 2013 brought some relief to an extremely tight state budget, but was it a one-time only increase?

  4. Success in several areas! • The FY 2014 Budget Supportive housing services gained over $1 million in funding, bringing total funding to almost $28 million. Supportive Housing is one of very few human services to receive increased funding in an extremely tight budget year. • Supportive Housing Units have grown in FY 2013 by 824 and people served by 1361. With additional growth scheduled for FY 2014, the total number of individuals served in supportive housing will rise to approximately 12,000 people.

  5. Success in several Areas! • Medicaid Expansion Medicaid expansion was achieved, extending benefits to people with incomes up to 133% of federal poverty. Starting October 1st, many people with low incomes and/or experiencing homelessness will be eligible for Medicaid. • Homeless Bill of Rights • The Homeless Bill of Rights protects homeless people from discrimination, creating basic rights (to maintain gainful employment, to access public services and spaces, to access emergency medical care and to vote on the same basis as others). These rights cannot be denied solely because someone is homeless or lists a shelter as their address. If discriminated against because of his or her housing status, the individual has the right to take legal action and seek damages.

  6. Areas that need improvement! • Prompt Payment Debt restructuring was proposed in the Spring session but not passed. More effort is needed to reduce the backlog of bills and improve prompt payment to providers. • SMHRFs The “Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities Act was passed, re-purposing IMDs and permitting these nursing homes to expand programming. We must ensure that community providers are afforded the same rigths to deliver service within the community.

  7. Illinois Issues to Work on in FY 2014 • Medicaid Expansion • Enrollment begins October 1st. • There’s lots to learn: • for residents • for providers • for ISGOs (Important state government officials) • SMHRF Rules • Next step will be development of regulations. • We must ensure that community providers are afforded the opportunity to develop the same types of services • Triage/Crisis Services • Transitional Living • Rehabilitative Supports

  8. The Federal front • Funding: • The President’s budget proposes a 13% increase in McKinney-Vento funding. • Sequestration cuts have begun to be implemented. • Sequestration, according to HUD, is not expected to affect: • Tier I and renewal projects in the current year. • Tier II and new projects in the current year, but WILL during the next application round. • Sequestration is beginning to affect the Section 8 Program and by extension, some supportive housing projects.

  9. For the Summer Campaign Legislator Engagement Have you met with your Lawmaker yet? • We have 42 new Legislators this Year. • 16 new Senators, 26 new Representatives. • Multiple incumbents serving in newly-drawn districts. Communicate with your Legislator!! • Thank them for serving. Thank them for their budget support. • Explain supportive housing to them.

  10. For the Summer Campaign Get Up Close and Personal! • Use the SHPA Legislator Orientation materials to help with your outreach. (see www.shpa.org/Advocacy) • Invite your legislator to come to your agency for a site visit. • Introduce them to some residents. • Offer them the opportunity to watch the Supportive Housing video at www.shpa-il.org. • Explain to them the value of supportive housing! • Supportive housing is central to healthcare reform. • SH provides stability for people experiencing homelessness and/or with disabilities. • SH saves the state money and saves the person/family from the streets.

  11. For the Summer Campaign • Make a commitment to engage your legislator! By phone, in person, on site, in their office – some way, somehow! Sign up today on the sheet in the back of the room. • Learn all you can about Medicaid Expansion! • Join the Legislative Committee! First Monday of the Month 9:30 am Conference Call Call in # 888-296-6500 Access Code - 292814#

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