Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is lobbying Gov. David Patterson not to sign into law a bill that would cap the amount of income some city residents with HIV pay for rent. Under current regulations clients receiving housing subsidies from the city's HIV/AIDS Service Administration must pay all but $344 of their income in rent.
On April 27 the state senate voted 42-19 for a measure to require that HASA clients spend no more than 30% of their income on rent. The assembly voted 84-54 for the bill in January.
However, the mayor's office contends the city already will spend $150 million on the program this fiscal year and that the change would cost it an additional 10%. The state sets policy for the program and funds it with the city, which administers it.
If Patterson approves the bill, it would set an "expensive precedent" by basing rental contributions on medical diagnoses rather than income, said Jessica Scaperotti, a Bloomberg spokeswoman. "As sympathetic as we are to the people who this would help, this nevertheless is yet another unfunded mandate from Albany -- and one that will have significant immediate and long-term costs," she said.
The bill's additional cost to the city and state would be $19 million, said Ginny Shubert of Shubert Botein Policy Associates, a New York advocacy and analysis group. However, that would be offset by $20 million in savings from fewer evictions, rental arrears, and emergency housing payments.
The SBPA analysis vastly overestimates the number of evictions that would be prevented and underestimates the program's per-person costs, said Matt Brune, HASA's deputy commissioner.
Patterson's position is still unclear, but he has vetoed numerous bills due to budget concerns. A veto override would require a two-thirds majority in both the senate and assembly.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Before AIDS, gay artist Rex drew hot men on the prowl — then he disappeared
April 11 2024 3:15 PM
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
Injectable HIV treatment, prevention: Everything you need to know
March 26 2024 3:28 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay therapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Happy national foreskin day!
April 04 2024 1:45 PM
The science behind U=U has been liberating people with HIV for years
June 04 2024 3:31 PM
Scarlet fever: exploring our fascination with blood
March 13 2024 1:47 PM
On Anal Sex Day, crack up with The Bottom's Digest
April 18 2024 10:22 AM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Activist and philanthropist Bruce Bastian dies at 76
June 26 2024 1:28 PM
Yes, HIV-positive people can safely breastfeed
June 26 2024 12:59 PM
Exclusive: We kiki with Q from 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
June 24 2024 11:37 AM
Court rules to keep PrEP coverage under Obamacare
June 21 2024 5:42 PM
In honor of Juneteenth 2024, meet The Normal Anomaly
June 19 2024 1:39 PM
What is Juneteenth?
June 19 2024 11:30 AM
As Pride party season begins, the CDC urges mpox vaccinations
May 16 2024 6:52 PM
Advocacy in action with AIDSWatch
May 09 2024 12:30 PM
The Talk: Thriving with HIV
May 08 2024 10:45 AM
The Talk: What HIV isn’t
May 07 2024 10:48 AM
The Talk: Finding balance with HIV
May 06 2024 10:51 AM
Justice Dept plans to reschedule marijuana as a lower-risk drug
May 03 2024 2:40 PM
The Talk: Starting your journey with HIV
May 03 2024 2:00 PM
Why is a mother’s mental health so important? A doctor explains
May 01 2024 1:38 PM
Walmart to close all of its health care clinics
April 30 2024 12:30 PM
Vampire facial spa infected several women with HIV
April 29 2024 7:26 PM