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The New York City Council and Mayor
Michael Bloomberg have agreed on a $68.5 billion budget that retains funding
for several key programs, including HIV/AIDS housing and care and the Runaway
and Homeless Youth Services. The budget the mayor proposed in May would have
cut support for these and other services.
Council speaker Christine Quinn had
said HIV/AIDS-related services would be cut “over my dead body,” according to
Gay City News. Quinn and City Council member Annabel Palma identified $5.1
million in discretionary funds to restore housing and nutrition services for
those living with HIV/AIDS.
“Homelessness is deadly for people
living with HIV/AIDS, but Bloomberg’s public health priorities don’t seem to
extend beyond his big soda ban lately,” said Wayne Starks, a VOCAL-NY board
member and formerly homeless person living in supportive housing. “This
administration has repeatedly slashed funding for housing programs that keep
people with HIV/AIDS healthy, while introducing policies like drug testing that
are simply an excuse to deny medically appropriate shelter.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
