Days ahead of World AIDS Day, Mayor Bloomberg’s announces mid-year financial plans to cut up to 2% in every city agency, which will mean cuts to housing for New Yorkers living with AIDS, HIV prevention services, and even more layoffs for city health workers.

“Next week the Mayor be be giving his annual World AIDS Day Breakfast in the comfort of Gracie Mansion, and will be patting himself on the back for how much he’s done for people with HIV, but the proof of how much he cares is in these cuts,” said Kristin Goodwin, Housing Works’ director of policy and organizing.

Proposed budget reductions include $1.3 million slashed from Human Resources Administration through delaying new congregate housing contracts for people living with HIV/AIDS. This new housing has been delayed now for the last three budget cycles, despite the clear and ongoing need for AIDS supportive housing.

In addition, the NYC DOHMH will lose $1.4 million starting in FY13 and continuing in future years. These cuts will come from funding for individual-level HIV prevention, STD clinic hours will be cut back and STD screening and treatment programs in select NYC public high schools will disappear. The DOHMH HIV/AIDS Bureau will also suffer layoffs.

With last spring’s budget fight still fresh, AIDS advocates are preparing to battle again for essential supportive housing funding, which the City Council has restored for the last three years, and which HRA has no intention of base-lining into the Mayor’s 2013 Executive Budget.

Additionally, many clients and providers have been falling victim to HRA’s new policy on payments of brokers’ fees and security deposits, which has created serious barriers to finding stable housing for people living with AIDS.

Read the proposed budget adjustments here.  

Bloomberg Budget Adjustments 11.11

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