Nancy Pelosi: “I strongly support the Shays/Nadler/ Crowley/Morella amendment to increase authorized HOPWA funding to $292 million for…”

“I strongly support the Shays/Nadler/ Crowley/Morella amendment to increase authorized HOPWA funding to $292 million for FY2001. This increase will allow the HOPWA program to meet current needs and bring additional newly eligible communities into this effective program. The need for housing assistance among those living with HIV/AIDS is greater now than ever. As new treatments allow infected individuals to live longer, new HIV infections are continuing at a steady rate. This means that the overall number of people living with HIV/AIDS has grown to its highest level ever. The new treatments that are extending so many lives involve a complicated regimen of medications, requiring certain medications to be taken at certain times, certain medications to be taken after eating, and still others on an empty stomach. This makes adherence very difficult, and nearly impossible with stable housing. More than 200,000 people with HIV/AIDS are currently in need of housing assistance, and 60% of those living with this disease will need housing assistance at some point during their illness. HIV prevalence within the homeless population is estimated to be ten times greater than infection rates in the general population. In addition, homeless individuals are much less likely to have regular access to health care than the general population and are therefore less likely to be tested for HIV than are people with stable housing.”