Harlem Residents, New York Lawmakers Oppose HIV/AIDS Housing Project

Harlem residents and New York politicians yesterday protested a proposed 18-unit housing complex for homeless adults and families affected by HIV/AIDS, the New York Times reports. State Sen. David Paterson (D) said Harlem was being used by the government as a "dumping ground," adding that residents were not "adequately consulted" over the $2.4 million complex, which would incorporate three brownstone buildings on West 130th St. Assemblymember Keith Wright (D) and Councilmember Bill Perkins (D) joined Paterson in protesting the proposed site, which would be renovated by Housing Works, the city's largest AIDS service group, with a block grant from the New York State Homeless Housing Assistance Program. Local residents have sued to block the grant. Michael Kink, legislative counsel for Housing Works, dismissed the protest and said the complex would be an "asset to the community" (Ramirez, New York Times, 2/25).