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Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala introduces legislation on HIV/AIDS services
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Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala opens the General Welfare Committee meeting by introducing two pieces of legislation related to HIV/AIDS services. She provides context for the legislation, including statistics on HIV in New York City and the importance of HASA services.
- Proposed Introduction 1194-A would expand eligibility for HASA services to all persons living with HIV infection.
- Proposed Resolution 175-A calls on New York State to sign legislation mandating local social services to link persons living with HIV to benefits and services, and cap their housing costs at 30% of household income.
- Ayala acknowledges committee members present and thanks staff for their work in preparing the hearing.
Diana Ayala
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Good morning, everyone, and welcome to today's hearing.
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My name is Diana Ayala, and I am the deputy speaker of the New York City Council and the chair of the general welfare committee.
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Today our committee will be voting on two pieces of legislation.
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Proposed introduction number eleven ninety four a sponsored by council member Schulman would expand eligibility for services provided by the HIV AIDS Services Administration or HASA to include any person living with HIV infection.
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Proposed resolution number one seventy five a sponsored by council member Jose calls on the New York on New York and the governor to sign s four four four two dash a three three five five, which would amend the social services law to mandate each local department of social service linked person living with HIV with benefits and services and provide that persons living with HIV who are receiving housing assistance shall not be required to pay more than 30% of household income towards shelter costs.
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According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in 2023, over sixteen hundred people were newly diagnosed with HIV, of which forty percent lived in high or very high poverty zip codes.
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As of 12/31/2023, there were a total of over one hundred and thirty four thousand New York City residents living with HIV, and over seventy percent of these New Yorkers live in medium, high, or very high poverty.
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HASA provides critical assistance to New Yorkers living with HIV, including access to rental assistance, home care services, help to complete benefits applications, and mental health, and substance misuse and treatment referrals.
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These important pieces of legislation will help protect New Yorkers with HIV by codifying access to these vital supports in city and state law.
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At this time, I'd like to acknowledge my colleagues who are here.
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Council member Riley, Caban, Aviles, Osei, Stevens, Ong, and Banks.
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Also, would like to thank the committee staff who worked to prepare this hearing today this hearing and vote, Sahar Mozzami, assistant deputy director, Pernina Rosenberg, policy analyst, Elizabeth Scheiderz Garcia, finance analyst, and finally my staff, Elsie Encarnacion, chief of staff.
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I would now like to turn it over to council member Schulman to deliver a statement on her bill.