For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word “shall” is always mandatory and not merely directory.
APPLICANT. A person that submits to the Department of Health, Housing and Building an application for a license or the renewal of a license to conduct, operate or maintain a shelter under this subchapter.
CHIEF OF POLICE. The chief law enforcement officer of the Department of Police for the city, or his or her designee responsible for the inspection of licenses, investigation of complaints of violations with license ordinances to ensure compliance with this subchapter.
CONGREGATE SHELTER. Provides private accommodations to each family living at the shelter, and shares communal space such as living room, dining room and kitchen with the other resident families. CONGREGATE SHELTERS have 24-hour, on-site, coverage 365 days a year. Case managers are on site daily to assist families with their search for permanent housing; overcoming the obstacles that led them there; and establishing links with external service providers to assist families in reaching their self-sufficiency goals. The program includes nutrition education, budgeting; parenting classes; job searches; crisis intervention; legal advocacy; counseling; case management; and tutoring for children, to ensure that families will be successful when they obtain permanent housing.
DIRECTOR. The Director of the Department of Department of Health, Housing and Building for the city, or his or her designee, charged with the responsibility of enforcing and administering the provisions of this subchapter.
EMERGENCY SHELTER. A facility which provides congregate style temporary lodging either with or without meals and ancillary services on the premises to primarily the homeless for more than four weeks in any calendar year, but does not provide such lodging to any individual who is required because of age, mental disability or other reason to reside either in a public or private institution or who is imprisoned or otherwise detained pursuant to either federal or state law, and excludes an adult foster care facility, designated transitional housing, a nursing home, a temporary emergency shelter or a warming center.
HOMELESS FAMILY. A family that lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence or a family that has a primary nighttime residence that is any of the following:
(1) A supervised public or private operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters and transitional housing for the mentally ill);
(2) An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; and/or
(3) A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation.
HOMELESS PERSON. For purposes of this subchapter, HOMELESS PERSON means either of the following:
(1) An individual who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence; or
(2) An individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is any of the following:
(a) A supervised public or private operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters and transitional housing for the mentally ill);
(b) An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; and/or
(c) A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation.
PERSON. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or any organization of any kind.
REFERRING AGENCY. Any public or private entity that received federal or state funds for the purpose of arranging, referring or facilitating the placement of homeless families with school age children in shelter facilities.
SHELTER. Either an emergency shelter or a shelter for victims of domestic violence.
SHELTER FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. A residential facility which provides temporary accommodation and support for victims of domestic violence either with or without their minor children.
SHELTERS FOR THE TEMPORARILY HOMELESS. Refer to definition of SHELTER in this subchapter.
TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER. A building which is opened on an urgent basis to provide shelter for the homeless from the elements for not more than four weeks in any calendar year, including those operated in concert by churches and other religious organizations that permit the homeless to utilize their facilities as a place of lodging.
TRANSITIONAL SHELTER/HOUSING. Residential accommodations for two or more persons, including support/counseling services for homeless individuals and/or families. The intent of this type of facility is to provide a stable environment for the homeless and to facilitate self-sufficiency. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING (TH) is a program under the Supportive Housing Demonstration Program (SDHP). Homeless persons or families may live in a TH project for up to two years according to United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations. Additional descriptions may be obtained from HUD regulations 24 C.F.R. § 577.5 as “transitional housing” or in 24 C.F.R. § 583.5 as “supportive housing”.
WARMING/COOLING CENTERS AND EXTREME WEATHER OVERNIGHT CENTERS. Facilities which are not designed for lodging and are solely operated for the purpose of sheltering the transient homeless and others from the elements for brief intervals during any 24-hour period in accordance with the declaration of the Mayor under § 11 of the state’s Emergency Management Agency Act (20 ILCS 3305/11). The location of a warming/cooling center and/or an extreme weather overnight center is subject to approval by the Mayor.
WELFARE HOTEL. A hotel used to house homeless people or families receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or other similar federal or state public aid or welfare benefit until they can transition into permanent traditional housing.
(1960 Code, § 7-26-3) (Ord. 7214, passed 1-5-2009; Ord. 7786, passed 6-16-2014; Ord. 8210-2018, passed 6-18-2018)