DeLauro, Colleagues Fight to Secure Housing for HIV/AIDS Patients

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and 25 of her colleagues sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today praising the repeal of a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) policy that places a 24-month lifetime cap on funding provided by the Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act being used by individuals living with HIV/ AIDS for housing, and calling for a permanent solution to this issue.

Research has shown how critical it is to individuals living with HIV/ AIDS's health to maintain stable housing. With millions of Americans across the country still struggling in today's economy, it is vital that the most vulnerable among the population are cared for. Congresswoman DeLauro has sent several letters about this policy to administration officials over the last year on this issue.

Congresswoman DeLauro said, "This decision prevents thousands of individuals across the country from losing their housing, and possibly their lives. In my home state of Connecticut, more than 1,000 men and women living with HIV/ AIDS will now be able to maintain their housing. I am very pleased with this decision, and look forward to working with Secretary Sebelius as we move forward to find a permanent fix to this vital issue."

The text of the letter appears below.

February 26, 2010

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius Secretary United States Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201

RE: HRSA Transitional and Emergency Housing policy; HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) Policy Notice 99-02 Amendment 1 (73 Federal Register 10260, February 26, 2008)

Dear Secretary Sebelius:

We are writing to express our appreciation and support for the repeal of HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau Policy Notice 99-02, Amendment 1 pending a review of the policy. We are pleased and relieved that persons receiving Ryan White housing as of March 27, 2008 will not lose their housing assistance on March 26, 2010. While we appreciate that HRSA is examining this policy and that attention is being given to this critical issue, we remain concerned for those who are currently receiving Ryan White housing. Although people will no longer lose their housing assistance because of a 24 month cap, in many communities such as New York City those affected have already received "transition plan" notices concerning the loss of their housing assistance. We respectfully request that all grantees be directed to immediately provide written notice to clients receiving Ryan White housing assistance regarding the change in this policy.

As HRSA reviews and examines this policy, we would like to express our support of a permanent extension of Ryan White housing beyond the previous 24 month lifetime cap. We also support the inclusion of a waiver for medical professional certified medical necessity, allowing persons receiving Ryan White housing to continue receiving housing assistance beyond any HRSA-imposed cap when appropriate. We thank you for rescinding HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) Policy Notice 99-02 Amendment 1 and call for a permanent resolution to this problem which affects some of our most vulnerable citizens. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,