Philadelphia Activists Demand Public Housing For Those With AIDS
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A handful of activists conducted a small demonstration today outside Philadelphia City Hall, demanding that the Nutter administration include money in its upcoming budget for housing those suffering with HIV/AIDS.
Activists from the group "Act Up" chanted and held signs demanding that the mayor recognize that the need for housing for those suffering from the disease is critical and can't be ignored.
"In the city of Philadelphia, there are currently 8,000 people on the AIDS housing waiting list. And Mayor Nutter continues to ignore the people who are on the streets, dying, getting infections on the streets," said Antonio Davis (right), who is HIV-positive and was one of the protest organizers.
Davis says Nutter met with AIDS activists last fall about the issue but told them that in today's economy there just isn't money available for what they're asking.
The city has never funded any housing for those with HIV/AIDS, and Davis recognizes it could be an uphill struggle to get new money.
While he had no easy solutions, Davis suggested the city could find support from foundations who help those with HIV and AIDS.
Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio 1060.
