![Duanex390_0](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/duanex390-0.jpg?id=32724931&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER 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.
The New York state senate passed a bill Tuesday that would cap at 30% of income the rent contribution of people receiving housing assistance from the New York City HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA). The bill, which passed the assembly in January, now heads to Governor David Paterson for signature.
The bill, sponsored in each chamber by out legislators, Sen. Tom Duane and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, passed the senate by a 42-19 vote with no debate.
According to advocacy group Housing Works, the bill is a "tremendous victory" that corrects a flaw in the state's housing benefits law that singles out low-income residents living with HIV/AIDS.
"All people who receive federal housing subsidies, such as Section 8, benefit from a 30 percent cap on their rent, so they don't have to decide between buying essentials like shampoo and toilet paper and paying rent.
"However, the HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA), which provides housing assistance to poor New Yorkers living with AIDS, is a joint city/state program -- so HASA has not been obligated to cap rents at 30 percent of income," reports Housing Works.
The bill could potentially help as many as 11,000 low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS, say advocates.
The bill also passed the senate last July by a vote of 52-1 after an impassioned floor speech by Duane, who is HIV-positive. The assembly did not take up the bill last session.
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
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM
'Devastated:' A six-week abortion ban will go into effect in Iowa next week
July 23 2024 2:28 PM
Four hours, 44,000 Black women, and one Zoom call
July 23 2024 2:17 PM
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM
Elon Musk’s comments about his trans daughter prove why she doesn’t speak to him
July 23 2024 9:16 AM
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM