AIDS activists are celebrating a new hearing to demand answers to recent policy changes at HASA. The hearing, called by the NYC Council, will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 1:00 p.m, on the 16th Floor, 250 Broadway, New York, NY.

“HASA seems to change policies in the dead of night, without any accountability, said Kristin Goodwin, director of NYC policy and organizing with Housing Works. “We’re happy the City Council has called HASA to explain its decisions.”

Last year HASA announced it would no longer pay the full price for brokers’ fees for people seeking housing, and would only give landlords a “voucher” for security deposits. More recently, HASA was exposed for its new (and unannounced) policy to force clients suspected of using drugs to go through drug rehabilitation in order to receive or hold onto benefits, such as their rental assistance.

“The result is that fewer people are able to get housing,” said Goodwin. “We be organizing many of our clients to give testimony on the challenges they’ve face with HASA.”

Two days before the hearing, on February 6, Housing Works clients will be performing a play at the Crosby Street Bookstore, The Worm In The Big Apple, demonstrating the challenges they face when dealing with HASA and other NYC “service” agencies.

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OUR MISSION Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.

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