A February HIV/AIDS housing agreement between Governor Andrew Cuomo (D–N.Y.) and Mayor Bill de Blasio (D–N.Y.) has won inclusion in the New York State fiscal year 2015 budget, according to a VOCAL-NY statement.

The rent contribution of HIV-positive New Yorkers receiving rental assistance will be capped at 30 percent of their disability income. New York City will cover two-thirds of the program costs. Such a cap already is the standard for other low-income housing programs in the state.

Currently, more than 10,000 low-income people with HIV/AIDS who receive rental assistance pay more than 70 percent of their disability income toward rent, which leaves them with about $12 per day for all other expenses.

Former Governor David Paterson (D–N.Y.) vetoed a similar proposal in 2010. VOCAL-NY and other groups had advocated for this cap for years.

To read the statement, click here.