Home But Not Alone: Living with HIV/AIDS

In 2006, 18,838 Georgians were reported to be living with AIDS (HIV/AIDS Surveillance, 2006). This group of individuals faces varying challenges to the accomplishment of activities of daily living due to the unique biological, psychological, emotional, and social impact of HIV/AIDS upon their lives and environment. Safe and affordable housing is often the cornerstone to ensuring quality of life and not just quantity of life for this population.

Transmission

HIV is found primarily in blood, semen, & vaginal fluid.

HIV cannot be transmitted through daily activities or objects, including shaking hands, hugging, casual kissing, toilet seats, drinking fountains, doorknobs, dishes, drinking glasses, food, pets, or mosquitoes.

HIV and Housing

The critical role of safe, affordable housing in the prevention of HIV/AIDS infection and the maintenance of quality of life among those living with the virus has long been recognized. Persons living with the virus and engaged in stable housing situations are more likely to have an active relationship in their primary HIV care and are less likely to utilize expensive medical arenas, such as emergency care and inpatient hospital stays (The National AIDS Housing Coalition). This directly highlights the role of safe and affordable housing in adherence to medical regime that ultimately lengthens successful physical functioning and, therefore, quality of life.

Striving to achieve stability within the lives of its clients, Home But Not Alone remains at the forefront of holistic HIV/AIDS treatment in the metro Atlanta community. Home But Not Alone partners with Atlantans living with HIV/AIDS to secure safe, affordable, and convenient housing to prevent homelessness, increase adherence to medical regime, and improve mental health status.

HIV/AIDS Surveillance, (2006). Georgia HIV/AIDS Surveillance summary, Division of Public Health, Georgia Department of Human Resources, 1-15.