NEW YORK: AIDS Facility Quietly Starts Expansion

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

NEW YORK: AIDS Facility Quietly Starts Expansion

Times Union (Albany) (12.07.06) - Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Kenneth C. Crowe II

Support Ministries for Persons with AIDS' Ahana House is undergoing a $950,000 expansion, bringing to 37 the number of people the organization can assist. The transitional residence for homeless people with HIV/AIDS is located in a former convent. Ahana House is across the street from St. Mary's Church, St. Mary's School, and St. Mary's of Crescent.

Ahana House opened in 1995, after public outcry and lawsuits attempted to halt the project. "There was a lot of controversy," said Waterford Mayor J. Bert Mahoney. "People were very fearful of the place. They didn't like its location close to the school and church." Since that time, said Mahoney, the residents have become "part of the community." "It's become a non-issue."

The expansion will increase the facility's residential capacity from 15 to 17 men and enhance the services that are offered. The project is expected to be completed next April. "This work is going to make it better," said Ada Santiago, the on-site administrator for Ahana House.

Support Ministries Executive Director Cheryl Hage-Perez said Ahana House receives strong support from St. Mary's. "There's such a level of respect and support," she said. "We're part of the community."

In addition to Ahana House, Support Ministries has the Jim Perry Residence, Arvilla House, and several apartments, all in Albany, to assist men and women living with HIV/AIDS.
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