October 2, 2009

NYC Council Supports State HIV/AIDS Bill to Cap Rent

The New York City Council unanimously passed on September 30 a resolution in support of a state bill that would cap rent contributions for low-income HIV-positive people, The Advocate reports. The bill would cap rent at 30 percent of their income.

The bill—introduced by openly gay and HIV-positive Senator Tom Duane and lesbian Assemblywoman Deborah Glick—passed the Senate in July, following an impassioned floor speech from Duane on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS. However, the measure remains stagnant in the Assembly’s ways and means committee. The bill will advance with support from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Governor David Paterson.

According to the article, the rental assistance program is the state’s only disability housing program that does not cap rent at 30 percent of clients’ income. The bill’s supporters say it could save New York State $12 million in emergency shelter costs.

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