Date: Fri, 9 Dec 1994 19:09:40 -0500 (GMT-0500) From: "Thomas W. Holt Jr." Subject: Federal AIDS Housing in Jeopardy (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 9 Dec 94 14:17:02 CST From: scott andrew mendel To: gl-folk@midway.uchicago.edu, lagfas@midway.uchicago.edu, gaynet@queernet.org, chi-motss@espada.chi.il.us, chi.motss@vpnet.chi.il.us, queercampus@vector.casti.com, act-up@world.std.com, GLB-NEWS%BROWNVM.BITNET@uchimvs1.uchicago.edu, qn@queernet.org, NOT2@delphi.com Cc: sm21@midway.uchicago.edu Subject: Federal AIDS Housing in Jeopardy ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO: EVERYONE CONCERNED ABOUT HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH AIDS FROM: AIDS FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO (via Scott Mendel) RE: FUNDING FOR HOPWA IN JEOPARDY ------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE PROBLEM: The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that reviews and modifies initial budget requests from each federal department has recommended eliminating Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) along with Shelter Care Plus, Supportive Housing, and Section 8 in Fiscal Year 1996. OMB recommends replacing these programs with a block grant program to the states which would no longer earmark funds for HIV/AIDS services. Secretary of Housing Henry Cisneros has apparently submitted a very strong appeal to OMB and the White House. The President can decide against OMB's recommendations and keep HOPWA in his final budget to Congress, expected in late January. For those who don't know, HOPWA is a program that provides emergency funds to poor people with AIDS in times of housing crisis. These funds range from short term rent subsidies to emergency payments to utility companies. The program is the one federal initiative that stands directly between poor people with AIDS and homelessness. PLEASE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY: President Bill Clinton 202-456-1414 Senator Paul Simon 202-224-2152 202-224-0868(fax) Senator Carol Moseley-Braun 202-224-2854 202-224-2626(fax) Representative John Porter 202-225-4835 202-225-0157 (your own senators and representatives if you are outside Illinois) Alice Rivlin, OMB Director 202--395-4742 TELL THEM YOUR CONCERNS, INCLUDING: 1. Keep HOPWA intact as a program providing housing services designated for persons with HIV/AIDS, and 2. Increase appropriations in order to maintain a comprehensive continuum of community-based housing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for your help. And please respond to this as soon as possible! The President's budget proposal is being drafted right now, and the window of opportunity to save HOPWA is very small. -Scott Mendel sm21@midway.uchicago.edu