AIDS Housing is Healthcare -- Latest Research Proves It

Dozens of the nation's top academic researchers are presenting paper after paper this weekend at the National AIDS Housing Coalition's research summit at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore -- and they're all reinforcing the same message: housing is healthcare. The latest research shows that homeless people with AIDS are six times more likely to be on ARVs when they get housing; they're five times more likely to get regular primary care visits; and they're 50% less likely to have high-risk sex. Housing makes all the difference. NAHC's second annual research summit has brought together 163 participants from all over the US and Canada for two days of presentations and discussions with academic and policy researchers from top universities and government agencies. Each presentation and each discussion has clarified the powerful impact housing has on HIV care and prevention -- an impact that could be even greater with more public and private investment. And these investments will pay off: studies presented at the conference have dramatically demonstrated the cost savings and cost effectiveness of AIDS housing initiatives. In New York City, researchers and service providers showed it's possible to provide housing plus in-home visits from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, social workers and nurses for TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS LESS than the cost of a cot in a homeless shelter. One study showed that AIDS housing programs dramatically reduce high-risk sex and drug using behaviors -- and that taxpayers get at least $221,000 in savings for each HIV infection that's prevented. Another study showed at least $10,000 in savings for each homeless person with HIV/AIDS that's moved off the streets, out of the shelters and into supportive housing. Another showed the cost savings and health care benefits of intensive services for people living with HIV and serious mental illness. Advocates and service providers will use NAHC materials -- all studies were provided to participants in a five-pound notebook -- to push for more government investment in housing and supportive services targeted at homeless and unstably housed people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information check out www.nationalaidshousing.org.