By Tab Buckner, HANC Board
At its April 20th meeting, the HANC Board voted unanimously to sign on to the letter from the HIV Advocacy Network (HAN) and HIV/AIDS Providers Network (HAPN) representing organizations in support of a funding set-aside for HIV/AIDS needs in the upcoming city budget.
Most San Franciscans living with HIV are now over 50 years old. As more people with HIV live longer, new challenges emerge. Individuals who are unhoused or marginally housed face a higher risk of HIV infection and a lower rate of viral suppression. The budget proposals address medical care, mental health service, harm reduction, subsidized housing and service organization support.
Endorsing organizations include AIDS Legal Referral Panel, Black Leadership Council, Coalition on Homelessness, GLIDE, Gubbio Project, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, HealthRIGHT 360, Larkin Street Youth Services, Openhouse, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Shanti Project, Treatment on Demand Coalition and UCSF Alliance Health Project.
The actual proposed breakdown is:
- HIV HOUSING SUBSIDIES ($3.6 million)
- MENTAL HEALTH FOR LONG-TERM SURVIVORS($500k)
- SAFER CONSUMPTION SITES($1-2 million)
- INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR PLWHA ($500k)
- SUPPORT HIV SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ($500k)
- PRESERVE THE HIV CARE SAFETY NET (NO CUTS)