AIDS Group Sues City Over Failure to House Homeless

Housing Works is suing the city over the Department of AIDS Services’ failure to provide emergency housing for homeless people with AIDS. The suit, filed June 22 in State Supreme Court, demands that the city find “medically appropriate and transitional housing” for qualified patients the same day they apply for it. The law requires the city to do that for people with AIDS or advanced HIV infection.

On June 22, Civil Court Judge Alice Schlesinger ordered the city to find a home for the main plaintiff in the suit until hearings on Housing Works’ request for an injunction have been held.

According to Housing Works, the shortage of SRO units for people with AIDS is so bad that the city has been telling homeless people with AIDS to “make their own housing arrangements,” which the group calls a euphemism for “go sleep on the train.”

“This callous and unconscionable conduct is not only blatantly illegal, but it is life-threatening,” Housing Works said. “For DASIS clients, the severe discomfort, pain, and stress of homelessness raises the very real threat of infection, illness, and even death.”

Housing Works, which has been outspoken in its criticism of the Giuliani administration’s AIDS policies, previously sued the city when its housing and social-service funding was cut off.

A hearing has been scheduled for July 23.