Call To Action: Stop the HRSA Housing Policy Amendment
For Immediate Release
Colleagues:
BACKGROUND: This is a follow up to the February 27th Alert advising that HRSA issued with a final date of March 27, 2008 its Policy Notice on the Use of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Funds for Housing Referral Services and Short-Term or Emergency Housing Needs (HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB)) Policy Notice 99-02 Amendment 1 (73 Federal Register 10260, February 26, 2008).
NAHC has today written to Secretary Leavitt urging immediate withdrawal of Policy Notice 99-02, slated to take effect on March 27. Policy Notice 99-02, in a change from the December 2006 proposed Policy Notice which was withdrawn last year: (1) omits the "lifetime" feature from the cumulative period of 24 months per household for use of Ryan White dollars for emergency and transitional housing; and (2) is no longer retroactive but starts the 24 month clock running on the March 27, 2008 effective date.
The Policy Notice should be withdrawn because permanent housing options are simply not available in most of the country and the problem is more dramatic for more vulnerable households such as low income people with HIV/AIDS. At this juncture, Ryan White grantees are simply not equipped to track clients from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and sub grantee to sub grantee as implementation of the policy would require. The Policy fails to provide the appropriate flexibility for medical professionals and grantees require in making decisions about individual patient needs.
ACTION: all your member of Congress and both Senators immediately. They can be reached via the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202)225-3121. Ask to speak with the staffer who handles HIV/AIDS issues or to the housing staffer. Ask the staffer to ask the member to contact Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and urge that the Housing Policy Amendment 99-02 be withdrawn immediately.
Please let NAHC know the results of your contact by emailing nahc@nationalaidshousing.org.
The National AIDS Housing Coalition is a national non-profit housing organization that works to advance the creation, development, management and growth of housing for persons living with HIV/AIDS in our communities.
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About National AIDS Housing Coalition: The National AIDS Housing Coalition (NAHC) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in February 1994. NAHC believes that persons living with HIV/AIDS have a fundamental right to decent, safe, affordable housing and supportive services that are responsive and appropriate to their self-determined needs. The purpose of the NAHC is to ensure that the diverse voices of those infected and affected by HIV are heard and their needs are met.
http://www.nationalaidshousing.org
Contact: Nancy Bernstine
email: nahc@nationalaidshousing.org
phone: 202-347-0333