PROTECT LOW-INCOME TENANTS WITH HIV/AIDS

On behalf of Housing Works, Inc., I would like to thank Speaker Quinn, Council Members Palma and Mendez, and
the members of the General Welfare Committee for once again showing the commitment to eliminating an unfair
housing policy that affects over 10,000 low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS in New York City.
Tenants in housing that is subsidized by federal programs only pay 30% of their income towards their rent, which
is deemed an appropriate and affordable rental contribution by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
New York State, however, does not cap rental contributions for all those who are HIV-positive and receiving
assistance through HIV/AIDS Service Administration (HASA). New Yorkers receiving HASA housing assistance –
in addition to SSI, SSD, or veterans’ benefits – are paying upwards of 70% of their income towards their rent.
This incredibly high rent share burden is too much, leaving clients with an unlivable $344 per month, less than $12
per day, for their expenses. This meager amount has to pay for utilities, phone service, medical care co-pays,
transportation, toiletries and any other costs of living. In New York City, this is sets people up for disaster from the
start.
The rent burden that low-income people living with HIV/AIDS are forced to bear places them at risk for eviction and
homelessness. Rates of eviction and arrears are high among clients in independent housing who have no rental
cap, and many clients end up back in shelters, welfare hotels and SROs – which are not medically-appropriate
places for people living with AIDS and HIV.

The passage and implementation of this legislation would be a just and right policy change. In addition, this
change would save the city and state money. According to Shubert Botein Policy Associates, this change would
pay for itself through saving the costs of housing loss, arrears payments, eviction, court fees, and of course,
expensive emergency housing in shelters and SROs.

Extensive research has shown that HIV-positive people who are able to access stable housing show improved
medical outcomes and reduced risk in transmitting HIV to someone else. This analysis does not even include
additional funding that would be saved due to improved housing, including the savings in public health care and
other social service use.

Mayor Bloomberg’s claim that this legislation would cost the city upwards of $20 million is an outrageous and
inaccurate analysis of the overall expense to the city budget. It is unfortunate that Governor Paterson listened to
this analysis and is perpetuating an unfair and unjust policy that is currently costing the city millions in emergency
housing and related costs. It is also unfortunate that neither Mayor Bloomberg nor Governor Paterson are showing
a commitment to people living with HIV in New York City, and that they instead will continue to allow people to
remain on the brink of eviction and homelessness.

We are proud that the State Legislature and the City Council are willing to support a fair rent share burden for
people living with AIDS and HIV. We encourage the passage of Resolution 477, and strongly urge the New York
State Assembly and Senate to immediately override the veto handed down by Governor Paterson on
A2565/S2664. Thank you for your commitment.

Kristin Goodwin
Director of NYC Policy and Organizing
Housing Works, Inc.
k.goodwin@housingworks.org