Senate Passes Landmark Bill to Prevent Homelessness Among People With HIV/AIDS

New York, N.Y. -- The New York Senate passed legislation (S.2664/A.2565) today that would create an affordable housing protection for nearly 11,000 low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS and their families at risk of becoming homeless. The bill first passed the Senate last July after an impassioned early morning speech by openly HIV-positive Senator Tom Duane, and has already passed the Assembly earlier this year.

"Senator Duane and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle are showing how government can protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers while reducing government waste. There's no reason to spend money on arrears and emergency shelter hotels when it's cheaper -- and better for our health -- to keep people living with AIDS in stable housing. I'm counting on Governor Paterson to make good on his commitment to me and other NYCAHN members to sign the bill when it reaches his desk," said Jim Lister, a NYCAHN leader and HASA client who pays 74% of his SSDI check towards rent each month.