December 15, 2006

STATE ASSEMBLY AIDS ACTION WEEK

RALLY AT CITY HALL THURSDAY, 9:30 AM

Next week, the New York State Assembly will hold hearings on two high-profile HIV/AIDS issues: proposals to eliminate written consent for HIV testing and massive rent hikes for AIDS housing tenants.

December 20: HIV Testing, Counseling and Informed Consent

The Assembly Health Committee will hold hearings in New York City on December 20 to review state HIV testing consent rules, the impact of recent streamlining regulations implemented by NYSDOH, barriers to testing and treatment, and proposals from NYC Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden and the federal CDC to eliminate written consent for HIV testing.

The hearing should be fascinating, with testimony scheduled from Frieden and a score of AIDS groups that have taken a range of (mostly) principled stands on the issues. And Assembly Health Committee Chair Dick Gottfried can be counted on for thoughtful and close questioning of all comers.

December 21: HASA Rent Hikes

The Assembly Social Services Committee will hold hearings Thursday to review the proposed rent hikes for AIDS housing tenants recently blocked by a federal court judge and opposed by dozens of AIDS groups.

"We are excited for this opportunity to continue our work with the state legislature to ensure that New York gets in line with federal law and to ensure that low income people living with AIDS in New York will pay no more than 30% of their income for rent," said Jennifer Flynn, Executive Director, New York AIDS Housing Coalition.

Clients, housing providers, advocates and researchers will testify to the impact of the increases and how they might be avoided. The panel includes Wayne Starks and other tenants in HASA supported housing as well as representatives from Housing Works, the New York City AIDS Housing Network, the Supportive Housing Network of NY, and Gay Men's Health Crisis.

Dr. Angela Aidala of the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health will present the scientific evidence supporting the individual and public health benefits of supportive housing. Dr. Aidala is Co-Principal Investigator and Study Director of the ongoing Community Health Advisory Information Network (CHAIN) project which has provided a range of research and evaluation services for New York City's Title I Health and Human Services Planning Council.

Housing providers Praxis Housing, Bailey House and the West Side Federation for Senior Housing, Inc. (WSFSH), which provides 18 units of permanent housing for people with AIDS in the Ben Michalski Residence, will offer testimony on the risk to their clients.

Thursday, December 21: Proposed Rent Increases for AIDS Supportive Housing

New York City, NY

For full hearing details contact Elaine Fernandez at fernane@assembly.state.ny.us or call 518-455-4377.

SPEAK OUT THURSDAY

Rally to support AIDS community testimony to stop the rent hikes

Show the State Assembly the real community standing behind the testimony at Thursday's rent hike hearing.

RALLY AND PRESS CONFERENCE

City Hall

For more information, help with transportation costs or to speak at the rally call Jennifer Flynn, NYCAHN at 718-802-9540 x 16.

The Housing Works AIDS Issues Update is reported, written and edited by Diana Scholl, David Thorpe, Christine Campbell, terri smith-caronia and Housing Works staff. Send your feedback, leads and story ideas to d.scholl@housingworks.org.

You can reach us by phone at 212-967-1500 x168, by fax at 212-868-4222, and by email at d.scholl@housingworks.org. Housing Works provides housing, advocacy and services to homeless people living with AIDS and HIV. Housing Works is the nation's largest community-based AIDS organization and the nation's largest minority-controlled AIDS organization.

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