Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, 66th Assembly District, announced passage of her bill, A.2565, which would create affordable housing protection for the 11,000 New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS who are at risk of losing their homes. “This bill moves these low-income New Yorkers into the same HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) program that exists in other comparable low-income housing programs, such as Section 8,” stated Glick.

The Senate companion to this bill, S.2664, passed the Senate late in the 2009 session year. There is every expectation that it will pass in 2010. “With joint passage of this bill and the pledge of Governor Paterson to sign the bill, New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS will no longer have to make heart rending decisions whether to buy groceries or go to the doctor in order to pay their rent,” Glick declared.

The cost of implementing this new policy will be offset because it will reduce arrears, evictions and emergency shelter placements among HASA rental assistance program clients according to a report authored by Ginny Shubert from Shubert Botein Policy Associates.

“I am hopeful that with the commitment from the Governor and the near unanimous vote in the State Senate, we will see this legislation signed into law. These 11,000 people will no longer have to be fearful of losing their housing. They can concentrate on maintaining their health and caring for their families,” concluded Glick.

Update:

The Senate bill, S2664 passed the Senate on April 27, 2010 by a vote of 42 – 19. The bill will be returned to its House of origin, the Assembly where it awaits the call of the Governor. Once the bill is sent to the Governor, he has 10 days to either veto the bill or it becomes law.