Home away from home: essential elements in developing housing options for people living with HIV/AIDS

There is a paucity of data to enlighten our understanding regarding the need for a respite care/supported living home for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV/AIDS) and to identify the essential elements required to initiate this endeavor. Participatory action research was used in this study as the process by which the study was conducted. Focus group and in-depth interviews with 78 individuals were completed and subjected to qualitative thematic analysis. The findings suggest that a paucity of choices exist for PLWHIV/AIDS when they can no longer live independently in their own homes. Principles for developing HIV/AIDS housing programs are recommended, highlighting the need for active involvement of PLWHIV/AIDS in the program planning process. It is only with this collaboration and participation that the housing and healthcare needs of PLWHIV/AIDS can be adequately addressed.