Foreclosures Mean Crises for HIV-Positive Renters

"Foreclosures Mean Crises for HIV-Positive Renters"
New York Times (08.26.08):: April Dembosky

Foreclosure rates in New York City doubled from 2004 to 2007, according to a study by the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy at New York University. In recent months, at least 50 HIV-positive renters have complained to New York City housing organizations about being forced out or threatened with eviction due to foreclosure. Since there is no centralized system for tracking such complaints, agencies cannot know the total number.

For people with HIV who have children, the most common housing option is a small building or home in a poor area, properties that tend to be susceptible to foreclosure. The city's HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) provides around $940 in assistance for a one-bedroom apartment, not including gas and electricity, $1,069 for a two-bedroom and $1,348 for a three-bedroom - levels unchanged since 2003. Tenants must contribute 30 percent of their income, chiefly from federal benefits, though they cannot be left with less than $330 a month.

"HASA pays 20 percent less than Section 8," said Sean Barry, co-director of the New York City AIDS Housing Network, referring to the federal rent subsidy program. "If a landlord has multiple clients applying with Section 8 or HASA, they know they can play around with the regulations and get more money from Section 8."

One woman with HIV said she learned she was being evicted due to her landlord's foreclosure only when she saw the "for sale" sign on the building. The stress of looking for a new apartment landed her in the hospital, she said.

In March, the City Council amended the housing code, making it illegal for landlords to discriminate against potential tenants with benefits like HASA or Section 8. However, only buildings with six or more units are affected by the amendment, which carries no penalty for violators.