(Page 3 of 3)

A targeted program to subsidize housing for those living with HIV/AIDS is drawing particular attention in the budget process. The HIV/AIDS Services Administration, a division of the Human Resources Administration, is slated to lose $10 million under the proposed budget, shrinking from $220 million to $210 million. Housing Works and other advocates for people with HIV/AIDS are protesting the cuts in the supportive housing program, which translate to the elimination of 248 case managers who work intensively with people living with AIDS who qualify for housing assistance.

Related Coverage

Feeling the Recession's Impact 03.08.10

1.5 Percent Less For Education 03.08.10

Thin Gruel For Soup Kitchens 03.08.10

News Topics
The Economy
Justice
Health and Environment
Housing and Development
Government
Author
Eileen Markey
Eileen Markey
About | RSS
“What we get from this is that the mayor totally doesn't care whether this vulnerable population gets housing assistance,” said Esther Lok, assistant director of policy, advocacy and research at the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies. “We are talking about a population that needs a little bit of help. We are really hitting the very vulnerable population.”

Case managers for the program serve as a central point of contact for people who have been diagnosed with AIDS – but who do not have HIV – and meet income requirements. They help get people food stamps, public assistance, housing services and make referrals to AIDS organizations for medical and other care, Lok said. They negotiate with landlords and make phone calls for Access-a-Ride.

The HIV/AIDS Services Administration serves 44,000 people. Last year a $1.8 million cut in the mayor's proposed budget was restored by City Council. But Lok said she fears so many constituencies will be lobbying Council for restorations this year that the case managers for people with AIDS will be overlooked.

Lok and others contend the cuts are actually illegal, because the city law requires a 34-to-1 client to caseworker ratio. HRA did not return a call seeking comment on the legal implications of the proposed cuts. But the agency was a focus of ire at a rally on the steps of City Hall on March 8. Activists from Housing Works and New York City AIDS Housing Network joined Bronx City Councilwoman Annabel Palma to decry the cuts. Palma chairs the General Welfare Committee, which planned to hold a hearing on the HASA cuts the same day.

Correction, Mar.9: The HASA client-to-caseworker ratio is 34 to 1, not 30 to 1.