AIDS activists press Philadelphia on housing

Protesters say too many people on waiting list

Philadelphia AIDS activists say the Nutter administration is failing to provide enough homes for those who are suffering with the disease.

About 50 protesters marched around City Hall Wednesday, saying the administration of Mayor Michael Nutter has a two-year waiting list for people with HIV and AIDS who need a place to stay.

Antonio Davis, a member of the group who also is dealing with the disease, says he’s concerned for others who are waiting years for a place to live.

“Within the last 18 months, eight people have died waiting on the AIDS housing list,” he said.

Davis said there are 200 people with diagnoses on the list for housing.

“They continue to be ignored,” he said. “Shelters are not effective housing, it’s not treatment, prevention and care.”

Protesters say people with AIDS should be given priority for housing since living in the streets or in shelters can expose them to other diseases that their bodies can’t fight.

City officials did not comment on the protesters’ contentions.