If you joined the new Medicare drug program which started on January 1, you will not lose your housing assistance. However, the amount you pay for housing may go up. But you should still apply for the Medicare drug program-- the money you save on your prescription drug costs will be much greater than your increase in housing costs.

On November 30th, 2005 HUD announced $18.7 million in HOPWA awards for 16 new AIDS housing projects across the country. This included one award in New England, to the City of Nashua, New Hampshire. To read about this second round of HOPWA grants and the Nashua program in more detail,

United’s Citizen Action Network (UCAN) is a Massachusetts-based grassroots group that advocates for more affordable and accessible housing for low- income people living with disabilities. Individuals living with disabilities are invited to participate in trainings that focus on developing a direct action campaign, organizing tactics, legislative advocacy, and leadership skills. Consumers will then organize and mobilize others around issues that are important to them. Two trainings have been held in Boston, and three more are scheduled in other parts of the state:

Salem: January 18th, 2-4:00pm
Pittsfield: January 20th, 1-3:00pm
Worcester: February 18th, 1:30-3:30pm

The Massachusetts General Court has begun the process of formulating the Fiscal Year 2007 State Budget. On February 22, UCAN members will travel to the State House and meet with members of the House and Senate to discuss the need for affordable and accessible housing opportunities for persons living with disabilities.

For those UCAN members who cannot make it to the State House, we will bring Beacon Hill to them. United Housing is facilitating a series of town meetings across the state between state legislators and UCAN members on the following dates: March 6 in Worcester; March 10 in Hyannis; and March 20 in Amherst.