Quigley, HUD Secretary Fudge Discuss Affordable Housing Access In Chicago

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge concerning the housing crisis among people living with HIV. Quigley expressed concern about the President's funding request for Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, or HOPWA. Specifically, this year's budget proposal could leave many eligible households without access to HOPWA resources. Quigley and Fudge discussed how the Appropriations Committee and HUD can work together to address the current level of need. Quigley's questions came during a hearing held by the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development on the FY 2023 budget request for HUD.

Video of Quigley's questioning is available HERE.

A transcript of the discussion is provided below:

QUIGLEY: Thank you Chairman, Madam Secretary it is great to see you and appreciate the amazing job you're doing, love serving with you. And right out of the box, you helped us change an important practice for our trans community in shelters so we thank you for that. I want to turn to the issue that I know you cared a lot about still as a member and care a lot about now—that's HOPWA funding.

You know, the administration is proposing a funding level that might actually cause a reduction in the number of people, living with HIV, who are served by the program. I think the difference between the proposal and what we're going to be asking for is $455 million to $600 million. The estimate in the congressional justification is about 45,640 households, which is about 10,000 households lower than the FY 22 proposed amount of 56,355. As you know, my district similar to yours, this is a big issue. So we're asking you to take a look at that and give us your thoughts on how we might be able to work together to get that number up to the current need if possible.

FUDGE: I'd be happy to take a look at it. I mean, we're putting a little attention on it now because we do know that there are some programs going on that just have not requested their reimbursement. We know that there are some issues in just the implementation, just because of staffing and capacity, but we'll do whatever we can to get you the information.

QUIGLEY: I appreciate that. And as you know, people living with HIV face incredible stigma and discrimination in housing, but HOPWA is the only housing program dedicated to the population. Particularly for people living with HIV, you know housing is healthcare. Is there anything else HUD is working on to expand other forms of rental assistance to serve people living with HIV?

FUDGE: Yes, we are working with our homeless programs, we're working with youth programs. We are providing seminars and webinars, we are doing all that we know how to do to reach the proper populations as well as we are working of course with HHS and other agencies that affect these populations as well. And just last week, we actually had a webinar with the CDC and with our foster youth. So we are doing the work. It's just at this point, I don't have the data to give you that, that you're asking for.

QUIGLEY: No, and I understand, I'm just curious too, are there other steps being taken to make people living with HIV, a priority population for HUD programs like housing choice vouchers?

FUDGE: Well, I think that when you were talking about our budget requests, the President's budget request is at a $455 million level, which we believe is, is, very good. But it also proposes $1.6 billion in incremental housing choice vouchers, which then gives us the opportunity to house more people with aids or other populations, of course, as well. But certainly that becomes a priority within those incremental housing vouchers.

QUIGLEY: No, we certainly want to work with you to make that a priority. And we'd love to have, you know, when you come back to Chicago, meet with the populations and talk about these issues. I know you care deeply about it, and we look forward to working with you and your staff on an ongoing basis. But thank you so much for your service.

FUDGE: Thank you. Thank you so much.