New York City Council Calls On State To Pass HIV/AIDS Housing Bill

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn spoke on the steps of City Hall this week to call for the passage of an affordable housing bill for low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.

Quinn introduced a formal resolution with council member Rosie Mendez asking the state legislature to pass the bill, which is currently languishing in committee in the Assembly. Earlier this year, the Senate version passed, sheperded by openly gay Senator Tom Duane.

The legislation proposes that NYC residents who are clients under HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) will pay no more than 30 percent of their income towards rent.

Quinn said the bill would prevent 11,000 New Yorkers from losing their homes.

“This piece of legislation will not only save money for our state, but it will save money for the thousands of HASA clients and provide some vital relief for their pocketbooks,” Quinn said. ” I urge Speaker Sheldon Silver and Governor David Paterson to support this bill so we can take action towards making HASA clients’ lives easier and more affordable.”

The City Council resolution passed; the Assembly has yet to take action.

Source: 365Gay