Rhode Island: Funds Cut for AIDS Residence

The House of Compassion (HOC), a nonprofit Providence residence for HIV/AIDS patients, is running short of money this year because of a drop in financing from the Ryan White CARE Act. Executive Director Colleen Scanlan said a $10,000 emergency grant from the state will keep the house afloat.

Opened in 1994 as a place for HIV/AIDS patients to live out their final days, the facility realigned its mission as HIV/AIDS treatment improved. Currently, the house provides room and board for nine HIV/AIDS patients. For $350 per month, residents - many who would otherwise be homeless - stay in furnished rooms and get meal supervision and transportation to and from medical appointments. The house has eight bedrooms and a five-person full-time staff.

Scanlan said the challenge for the house is to expand its reach to an underserved population with less federal money and a consistently small portion of the state's budget. This year, HOC expects to get $30,000 from the CARE Act, down from $90,000 in previous years, she said. HOC will also receive $9,468 from the state Department of Health, which will distribute $2.6 million to Rhode Island AIDS programs this year. The $10,000 grant approved by the state Legislature is in addition to the federal and state aid, designed to help defray the house's operating expenses.

"The house is in a tough shape financially," said State Rep. Richard W. Singleton (R-Cumberland) a supporter of the grant. "They're not getting their fair share from the federal government. Their mission has changed somewhat, but it is still a good mission." Singleton noted that before state aid to the house increases, an evaluation of its services and how they compare to other state entities is needed.

Back to other news for January 12, 2007