Findings

(310 ILCS 67/5)     Sec. 5. Findings. The legislature finds and declares that:         (1) there exists a shortage of affordable,     accessible, safe, and sanitary housing in the State;        (2) it is imperative that action be taken to assure     the availability of workforce and retirement housing;        (3) local governments in the State that do not have     sufficient affordable housing are encouraged to assist in providing affordable housing opportunities to assure the health, safety, and welfare of all citizens of the State;        (4) increasing the inventory and affordability of     housing choices for people earning between 80% and 140% of the area median income, termed the missing middle, also helps preserve affordable housing, prevents homelessness, and encourages investment in more inclusive, mixed-income communities throughout the State; and         (5) studying the inventory and affordability gaps     that affect the missing middle is also crucial to ensuring workforce and retirement housing in the State. (Source: P.A. 104-319, eff. 1-1-26.)