Background San Francisco is undergoing an unprecedented housing crisis, reducing the availability of housing for low-income individuals, especially those with disabilities and other health concerns. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) have been hard hit by the lack of housing resources, and are increasingly homeless and marginally housed (M/MH). Methods The San Francisco HIV Health Services Planning Council contracted with Harder + Co. to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of low income PLWH. The survey was completed by 1,300 PLWH. It was interviewer-administered over 2 months in 1999 and 2000. The survey assessed current housing status and met and unmet need for services. Survey participants were representative of low income PLWH served by CARE funds. Results Over half the sample (58.5%) has been homeless since being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Of those, 50.3% are currently homeless. Levels of homelessness were higher among African Americans, youth, and injection drug users. H/MH PLWH reported higher levels of unmet need for medical care, dental care, case management, and substance use services. H/MH PLWH are less likely to be taking HIV/AIDS medications: 63% of currently homeless are not taking HIV/AIDS medications, compared to 33% of housed PLWH. Unstable living situation was reported as one of the most common reasons for never taking HIV/AIDS medications. Conclusions Homelessness is a significant barrier to care for PLWH, including a barrier to taking HIV/AIDS medication. H/MH PLWH are unable to access many services, and report significantly higher levels of unmet need than PLWH who are stably housed.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. Define "homeless" and "marginally housed", 2. recognize the connection between housing and access to other services, and 3. describe the impact of homelessness on ability to access health services and medication
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Ryan White
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.