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April 6, 2005
Beyond HOPWA: An Achievable Legislative Vision for AIDS Housing in America
Guest article by Nancy Bernstine, Executive Director,
National AIDS Housing Coalition (NAHC)
Need for AIDS Housing Grows While Funding is Cut
The challenge to preserve housing resources for people with HIV/AIDS is more daunting for fiscal year 2006 than anytime in the thirteen-year history of the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. In the face of a $13 million cut in funding for the current fiscal year, the Administration has proposed an additional $13.8 million reduction for FY2006 -- even as need continues to grow and HUD anticipates the eligibility of two additional jurisdictions for formula funding, bringing the potential number of grantees from the current 122 to 124.
The National AIDS Housing Coalition has recommended a funding level of $385 million to accommodate some small growth in existing programs and the newly added jurisdictions. This amount is far below actual need as AIDS housing providers' project that half the 950,000 people living with HIV/AIDS will need some form of housing assistance during the course of their illness. Moreover, nationwide, client assessments routinely cite housing as among the top needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.
AIDS-specific housing takes on more importance as other low-income housing options are simply unavailable. The HUD budget is cut by more than 11%. The budget, while providing funds to renew housing vouchers in use, proposes no incremental assistance. Public housing and most of the other programs serving the most vulnerable populations are underfunded. The 811 program for persons with disabilities, for example, is proposed to be slashed by half.
Stealing from Peter to Pay Paul?
As if the FY2005 funding cut and the proposed reduction for FY2006 were not discouraging enough, some congressional interest has been expressed in moving legislatively to transfer precious HOPWA dollars to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) account to fund AIDS medications and treatment through the Ryan White CARE Act. As important as AIDS drugs are, raiding AIDS housing funds to pay for them ignores the centrality of a safe, clean, affordable place to live in the continuum of care that provides access and promotes adherence to treatment and prevents homelessness.
Legislative Solutions
HOPWA is a very small program; it will never fully meet need. Therefore, the National AIDS Housing Coalition supports the highest funding possible for the range of low income housing programs on which people living with AIDS rely. Other NAHC legislative priorities may help people with HIV/AIDS who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness access the stable housing, and thus ultimately, the care and treatment so essential to survival. These include, but are not limited to:
The Second Chance Act: Introduced in the House in the 108th Congress as H.R. 4676 and expected to be introduced in the current Congress imminently, this measure addresses the comprehensive needs of persons returning to communities nationwide from jails and prisons. While not specifically targeted to people with HIV/AIDS, the bill's provisions would benefit returning citizens, including as many as one in four infected with HIV. (The Vera Institute 2000)
An existing Department of Justice program that authorizes a range of housing assistance would be expanded and a congressional report reviewing the barriers to access to federal low-income housing programs for those released from jails and prisons are among the specific provisions that would assist returnees with HIV/AIDS.
The National Housing Trust Fund: Action is hoped for this year on legislation considered in the House Financial Services Committee in the 108th Congress, which would establish a dedicated source of funding for primarily rental housing for extremely low income individuals. States, localities and non-profits could apply for funding based to meet locally identified housing needs, but the majority of the funds would be targeted to the most vulnerable households earning 30% of area median income or less. As originally introduced when there was a significant federal surplus, the measure would have captured funds to create 1.5 million units of housing in ten years.
Housing advocates think a scaled back version of the trust fund may be considered in the context of affordable housing legislation in the Senate this year, with funds coming from a percentage of the pre-tax profits of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored entities that provide funding and help reduce the cost of capital and make homeownership available to more people. In the 108th Congress, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) offered a similar amendment that passed the Senate Banking Committee although the host bill was never considered by the full Senate. Though modest, this version of the trust fund will represent an important step toward funding rental housing production for the most vulnerable families without the rigors and uncertainties of the annual appropriations process.
Services for Ending Long-Term Homelessness Act: Representatives Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Anita Eshoo (D-CA) along with 16 original cosponsors recently introduced this legislation to provide services in permanent supportive housing for some of the up to quarter million individuals who experience chronic homelessness. Many emergency and shelter resources are used by the chronically homeless, many of whom are multiply diagnosed with mental health issues and substance abuse and have inadequate skills for meaningful employment. This measure will marry permanent supportive housing with services for these individuals. Senators DeWine (R-OH) and Reed (D-RI) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
National AIDS Housing Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in February 1994. NAHC believes that persons living with HIV/AIDS have a fundamental right to decent, safe, affordable housing and supportive services that are responsive and appropriate to their self-determined needs. The purpose of the NAHC is to ensure that the diverse voices of those infected and affected by HIV are heard and their needs are met. For further information go to www.nationalaidshousing.org/home.htm.
Charles King, President and CEO, Housing Works, serves on the NAHC board of directors.