Dozens of advocacy organizations across New York State are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to expand a program designed to cap rent costs for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS — an initiative that is, as of now, only available in New York City.
The HIV Emergency Shelter Allowance program, which allows New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS to pay no more than 30% of their rent, is technically available statewide. However, if local counties opt in to it, they must cover 71% of the costs, which advocates say has been far too expensive for many parts of the state, leaving New York City as the only part of the state to utilize it.
Advocacy groups brought the issue to the governor’s attention in an April 23 letter signed by dozens of members of the End AIDS New York Community Coalition, including ACT UP NY, Housing Works, GMHC, Harlem United, New York Transgender Advocacy Group, Southern Tier AIDS Program, and United Health Services Binghamton, among others…