Some 7,000 New Yorkers with HIV cannot access lifesaving supportive services, such as housing and nutritional assistance, because their diagnoses don’t meet New York’s outdated definition of “HIV-Illness.”

Housing Works is working to convince the New York State Department of Health to change the definition of HIV. In 2010, we successfully persuaded the New York State AIDS Advisory Council to approve a resolution that would change the definition of HIV.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the distinction between infection with the HIV virus and AIDS helped doctors understand when and how to treat patients. However, we now know that HIV treatment must begin well before someone gets sick enough to meet the state’s definition of HIV-illness.

Most people with HIV in New York are battling homelessness, mental illness and/or drug addiction. Without supportive services like housing, transportation and nutritional support, they will not get healthy, and we will not stop the spread of AIDS in our state.

• The State Budget

• Transgender Rights

• The 30 Percent Rent Cap

• Changing the Definition of HIV