Clients of New York City's HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) would have to pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent under a measure the state Assembly passed by an 82-54 vote on Jan. 12. Advocates have pushed for the rent cap since 2006.
"Especially during these difficult economic times, we must protect our most vulnerable citizens," Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) said in a statement. "This legislation will keep those on fixed incomes living with HIV/AIDS from being priced out of affordable housing and ending up in emergency housing where their health and safety would be at risk."
Under current state law, the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance allows HASA clients receiving public income support to keep only $344 a month after paying their rent - less than $12 a day. The bill - sponsored by Sen. Thomas Duane and Assembly member Deborah Glick, both Manhattan Democrats - passed the Senate late last session in a 52-1 vote. In 2010, the measure must be approved by the Senate again before it can move to the governor's desk.
Gov. David Patterson's office has not said whether he will sign the legislation. However, both Glick and a staff member of the advocacy group Housing Works said they had received Patterson's assurance he will sign it.
The New York City AIDS Housing Network has said the bill would help more than 11,000 New Yorkers with AIDS who receive benefits from the Veterans Administration, or SSI or SSD from the Social Security Administration.
Advocates say some HASA clients are currently paying as much as 75 percent of their monthly income in rent.
01/21/10
NEW YORK: AIDS Rent Cap Clears Hurdle
Source: Gay City News (New York City):: Paul Schindler; Courtesy of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention