[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING HOUSING FUNDING TO COMBAT AIDS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 137, ``Expressing the sense of the Congress that the lack of 
adequate housing must be addressed as a barrier to effective HIV 
prevention, treatment, and care, and that the United States should make 
a commitment to providing adequate funding for developing housing as a 
response to the AIDS pandemic,'' as introduced by my distinguished 
colleague from New York, Representative Nadler.
  The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to be a serious issue in the United 
States. A growing body of empirical research shows that HIV patients' 
housing and other socioeconomic factors are of equal or even greater 
importance than their medical care or personal health behavior in 
determining their long term health status. 70% of all persons with HIV 
or AIDS have reported periods of homelessness or unstable housing in 
their lives, the rates of HIV infection are 3-16 times higher for those 
who are homeless or have unstable housing, and the HIV/AIDS death rate 
is 7-9 times higher for homeless adults than the general population.
  The link between poverty and HIV risk and outcomes is well 
established. Poor living conditions such as homelessness and 
overcrowding undermine safety and efforts to promote responsible sexual 
behavior. A lack of stable housing greatly reduces people's ability to 
reduce their risk of HIV, as people who are homeless or have unstable 
housing are 2-6 times more likely than the general population to use 
hard drugs, exchange needles, or trade sex for money or shelter.
  Despite this evidence that adequate housing is an important effect on 
HIV prevention, the housing resources devoted to the national response 
to HIV/AIDS have been inadequate and housing has been largely ignored 
in policy discussions at the international level.
  H. Con. Res. 137 recognizes that stable, affordable housing is a key 
component of any effective strategy to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, 
as well as its treatment and care. It further recognizes that the 
United States should make a serious commitment to providing adequate 
funding for developing housing as a response to the AIDS pandemic. I am 
proud to support this resolution, and strongly urge my colleagues to 
join me.

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