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Q&A

Wilson questions on HIV/AIDS housing programs modernization

New York City Council · Jun 24, 2026 · starts 1:11:30 · 2 min 29 sec

Wilson asks about updating Ryan White and HOPWA programs. John Rojas describes federal modernization changes to funding formulas, the HASA representative on the Ryan White Planning Council, and ongoing monitoring of federal budget developments.

Carl Wilson

There are programs, now just pivoting to support with folks with HIV and AIDS, there's programs like the Ryan White Part A housing and HIV emergency shelter allowance that are really important ways to connecting people with HIV and AIDS to housing.

Carl Wilson

But they're established a long time ago, usually in the height of the epidemic.

Carl Wilson

And how can we update these programs for the needs of the present?

Erin Dalton

Yeah, I'm going to defer there.

Erin Dalton

Yeah, thank you.

John Rojas

So good morning, John Rojas.

John Rojas

You're right, a lot of the programs were created, Ryan White I believe was created in 1991, the Ryan White Part A grant, HAPWA equally in 1992.

John Rojas

Both Ryan White and HAPWA, the Housing Opportunity Persons Grades through the

John Rojas

U.S.

John Rojas

Department of Housing and Urban Development have modified and revised their programs recently.

John Rojas

HOPPO most recently did a HOPPO modernization.

John Rojas

In the past, they used to calculate how they gave money to eligible metropolitan statistical areas through AIDS only, not including

John Rojas

persons with HIV, and that was changed.

John Rojas

Also, in the past, they used to use statistical calculations, including persons who were deceased, instead of including persons who were living and newly diagnosed, but not AIDS diagnosed.

John Rojas

So luckily, that changed, and it really did change the portfolio of the services.

John Rojas

Actually, New York City took a hit, and probably not to popularly say this, but it should have more appropriately

John Rojas

divvied up the money to localities across the country who really did need the money more based on a growing number of cases in other states.

John Rojas

So there are...

John Rojas

On the federal level modernization and updates to the

John Rojas

So the programs on the local level, the HIV AIDS versus administration, HASA, has a participant who sits on the HIV Ryan White Planning Council.

John Rojas

That's the executive deputy commissioner, Jacqueline Dudley.

John Rojas

She sits on the Ryan White Part A Planning Council and gives input as overseeing HASA and the services that we provide on how we can update the services, including the aging population of folks living with HIV and AIDS.

Carl Wilson

Thank you.

Carl Wilson

And then just one question about LGBTQ youth.