March 9, 2007
LETTER MAN
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HOPWA Hero: Rep. Jerrold Nadler |
Following President Bush’s announcement of his proposed fiscal year 2008 budget last month, the National AIDS Housing Coalition (NAHC) has been working closely with Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) to draft a letter requesting an increase in funding for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.
NAHC and Rep. Nadler want the President’s proposed HOPWA budget of $300 million upped to $454 million. While Bush’s budget calls for a $14 million increase in HOPWA’s current funding, the additional $154 million is vital to providing services to the projected 550,000 Americans living with HIV who will require some kind of housing assistance within the next fiscal year.
“The increase will allow us to deliver services as new jurisdictions become eligible for HOPWA funds,” says Christine Campbell, director of national advocacy and organizing for Housing Works and a NAHC board member. “HOPWA is a formula-based program, so any jurisdiction with more than 1,500 cases is eligible. There are one to two new jurisdictions added every year.”
Rep. Nadler has worked closely with NAHC in the past on similar HOPWA letters. Advocates expect him to circulate this year’s letter in the House of Representatives next week. “The appropriations process is in full swing and the time is now for representatives to weigh in on this critical housing program,” says Nancy Bernstine, NAHC’s executive director. “Requests are due at the end of next week.”
NAHC’s would like to see the letter gain support from other members before being sent along to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Housing, and Urban Development of the House Appropriations Committee, which is in charge of allocating HOPWA funding.
HOPWA support housing and social services to men and women with HIV and AIDS, including the acquisition or construction of housing units, rental assistance, mental health services, drug treatment, nutritional services, case management, and more.
“We’re looking forward to Rep. Nadler leading the HOPWA letter,” says Bernstine. “He has been always been a great supporter of the program.”
Attention Rep. Nadler’s constituents in Manhattan and Brooklyn! A call from you could make a difference to people with HIV/AIDS across the country. Call Rep. Nadler’s Manhattan office at 212-367-7350, or use Housing Works’ toll-free line to the Capitol switchboard by dialing 888-802-1207, and express your support for a Congressional letter asking for an increase in HOPWA funding. If you would like to know if you live in Rep. Nadler’s district, visit his website.