Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - October 15, 1999
"We are pleased that the City is moving forward and are hopeful that this proposal appropriately allocates all of the City's unspent HOPWA funds," said APLA's Executive Director, Craig E. Thompson, in response to Friday's announcement by LAHD.
APLA and its community partners have been advocating with the City for a more aggressive spending schedule for HOPWA since August of 1998. In June 1999, APLA spearheaded a community response to the criticisms of the HOPWA program, signed by 14 organizations providing housing and housing-related services to persons living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County. This response both recognized the critical importance of the HOPWA program in Los Angeles County and committed to advocate for improvement in the program.
APLA supports the increased allocation to long-term, deep rental subsidies, anticipated to serve 460 new households. "By increasing the availability of these long-term subsidies, persons living with HIV/AIDS will have greater access to safe, stable, affordable housing anywhere within the City that they choose to live," continued Thompson. A critical element of care is the continued availability of affordable housing and housing-related services for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
APLA believes that the linkage of these housing subsidies to services is essential to ensure that persons living with AIDS receive vital information on and referrals to medical care and treatment, secondary prevention education and other services to maintain their new living situation.
Stress related to homelessness and poverty can also decrease adherence to complex medication regimens. One-third to one-half of all Americans with AIDS are either homeless or in imminent danger of losing their homes. A survey of people living with HIV/AIDS conducted by the City and County of Los Angeles found that 65% of them had been homeless at some point in their lives. Given the fact that the epidemic is increasing among low-income individuals in Los Angeles County, the threat of homelessness looms large for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
With nearly 40,000 persons living with HIV or AIDS in Los Angeles County, APLA is optimistic that these recent steps by LAHD will ensure timely access to appropriate housing related services to persons living with HIV disease.
SOURCE AIDS Project Los Angeles
CONTACT: Nicole Russo-Okamoto of AIDS Project Los Angeles, 323-993-1363/
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PR991034
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