Housing issues of persons with AIDS

The housing status of persons with HIV/AIDS is a central issue in their care and prognosis. We conducted eight focus groups to explore the housing needs of special populations of persons with HIV/AIDS in New York State; these populations included substance users, ex-offenders, persons with documented histories of homelessness, and rural dwellers/migrant workers. For the focus groups, 52 participants were recruited from the clientele of health and social service agencies. A major theme was the potent effect that housing situations had on participants' health. Participants frequently attributed lowered T-cell counts and increased lethargy to the stress associated with governmental rules and paperwork. Lack of money, inadequacy of entitlements, and high costs of housing were the major barriers to securing stable and appropriate housing. Furthermore, participants experienced housing discrimination based on HIV status and experience with the criminal justice system or drugs.