City OKs Pact With AIDS Project L.A.

The City Council approved a $75,000 contract with AIDS Project Los Angeles to provide legal services to people with HIV and AIDS who have housing problems.

Although APLA will control the spending of the grant, it will be used for clients of the HIV/AIDS Legal Services Assn., a organization made up of five groups working to provide legal help to acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients.

The contract will extend to those afflicted with the disease and their families, including parents of children with the disease, said Craig Thompson, chief operating officer for APLA.

Because funding for the contract will come from an existing city housing grant for AIDS patients, the agency will have to restrict spending to housing issues.

“A lot of landlords don’t want people with HIV and AIDS in their units,” Thompson said. “This is an issue that is in high demand right now. As people are doing better and living longer, there’s more demand for housing.”

Thompson said the one-time grant represents 25% of HALSA’s yearly budget to provide legal help throughout Los Angeles County.

The organization’s six lawyers assist patients and their families with issues such as immigration, disability and discrimination. Thompson said the need for legal services is increasing as medical treatments are helping to keep patients alive longer and living better.

HALSA has representatives from AIDS Service Center, Gay and Lesbian Center, AIDS Project Los Angeles, Public Council and the Los Angeles County Bar Assn.