BOSTON, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc. is administering a Utility Assistance Program for people living with HIV/AIDS in Suffolk, Middlesex, Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Worcester and Essex Counties. The project is being funded by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). Effective now through February 2005, HIV positive people who are at risk of homelessness in these counties can receive financial support up to $500 to help pay for their utilities, including gas, oil, electricity or a combination in order to maintain their current living arrangement.
“The winter months add extreme danger to people at risk of homelessness. This program helps stabilizes their living situation and gives us an opportunity to assess their needs for other support services,” said Susan Tannehill, Co-Director of Client Services at the AIDS Action Committee (AAC).
Criteria for eligibility are simple. There must be an HIV/AIDS diagnosis, the individual must have a case manager, a current lease and must provide income documentation. The average annual income of many of the participants is less than $6,000.
AIDS Action pays utility providers directly on behalf of qualifying applicants. The program allows an existing network of 58 other participating providers, including hospitals, mental health centers, community health centers and AIDS service organizations in the seven counties, to submit their qualifying clients’ applications for assistance.
“We always say that housing is healthcare; this program allows people living with HIV/AIDS to maintain safety in their homes and also means that people do not have to deny themselves life-saving medications in order to pay their utility bills during the winter months,” Tannehill said.
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc., (AAC), New England’s oldest and largest AIDS organization, is dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already infected. AAC provides free confidential services to more than 2,500 men and women already living with HIV/AIDS, as well as conducting extensive educational and prevention outreach to those at risk of infection. AAC runs the only statewide AIDS Hotline (1.800.235.2331). AAC also advocates for effective science-based prevention programs.
Contact: Diego Sanchez, APR 617.450.1524 or 617.835.1455 dsanchez@aac.org
The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc.
CONTACT: Diego Sanchez of AIDS Action Committee, +1-617-450-1524, or+1-617-835-1455, dsanchez@aac.org
Web site: http://www.aac.org/
