An Under Used Structural Intervention for Prevention and Care

Housing is the number one unmet need of Mississippians living with HIV/AIDS. Research has shown that stable housing dramatically increases strong connections to healthcare and decreases HIV risk behavior. Reports have also shown that HIV and homelessness are deeply interwoven issues. In general people living with HIV/AIDS are at a higher risk, 3 times that of the general population of becoming homeless. With the continuous rise in new HIV and homeless cases the time to act is now. AIDS ACTION IN MISSISSIPPI (AAIM) proposes the following steps be taken:

Review of the state health department guideline on the use of HOPWA assistance. Currently rental assistance is provided for 21 weeks and that is only after a person has secured a lease. In most cases that can be an obstacle because on average it takes between 1000.00- 1200.00 dollars to move in an apartment. This expense should be covered by allowing the recipient to determine how he/she will use their 21 weeks of assistance.

Develop permanent supportive housing with monies from HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants so that families with children, veterans and people living with HIV/AIDS can find stable housing and supportive services that will bring a sense of continuity to their lives and fulfill one of our most basic needs.

Develop Scattered Site Housing Program: Scattered Site Housing is a program that Mississippi could use in a unique way that can apply to rural areas. Where in larger cities they have housing spread out within the city limits, in Mississippi we can have them spread throughout the state. The state can buy/lease units that PLWA can live in and once they are employed they can then pay up to 30% of their income for rent. With this money the state can use for maintenance and upkeep of properties or even to supplement the HOPWA program.

Until recently, Mississippi had been returning thousands of AIDS dollars each year. It is time to make sure that money is consistently put to good use. As of 2007 there were people living with AIDS in every county in Mississippi and these numbers are rising. There are 8,806 people living HIV of which forty-four percent (44%) were living with AIDS. AAIM calls on Mississippi to use these dollars; Housing is a very effective prevention tool. It’s been proven that once people have affordable housing they are more likely to seek and stay in care. They are more compliant and less likely to engage in risky behavior.

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