NY Assembly Supports HIV/AIDS Housing Protection Measures

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – A bill that would provide affordable housing protection for more people living with HIV/AIDS in New York City is getting support from both chambers of the state legislature.

The measure would allow the city’s HIV/AIDS Services Administration to extend a cap on rent contributions to all of its approximately 31,000 clients. The cap at 30 percent of their income is designed to help clients maintain stable homes and continue to afford basic necessities. About 11,000 don’t qualify now.

Opponents argue it’s too expensive at a time government is struggling and it wouldn’t provide equal housing help for people with other income and health issues.

The bill already passed the Senate, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he supports it. Gov. David Paterson won’t say yet whether he’d sign it.

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