Courtesy of the AIDS Foundation Chicago
Edited by Lawndale Bilingual News
Without question, housing is healthcare, especially to people living with or vulnerable to HIV. Individuals with HIV who are homeless or lack stable housing, on the other hand, are more likely to delay HIV care and less likely to access care consistently or to adhere to their HIV treatment. Additionally, homelessness disproportionately impacts Black communities more than other racial groups—much like HIV and other chronic conditions. AFC and its subsidiary organization, the Center for Housing and Health (CHH), are committed to using a Housing First approach, a philosophy that links people experiencing homelessness with safe, affordable housing quickly and with minimal barriers, so people can start their journey to a healthier life sooner. As we have done annually, AFC and CHH are proud to work alongside community partners Housing Action Illinois, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA) to advocate for the following investments to the housing funding infrastructure in the state’s FY2024 budget:
HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAM: This program supports drop-in centers, youth health initiatives, transitional housing, and case management providing lifelines for youth and a path toward a stable, successful future. To protect the most vulnerable in our communities, Illinois must invest an additional $5 million in funding for this program (current funding: $7.28 million).
EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM: This crucial program funds crisis housing and supportive services. Taking inflation into account, state funding for the ETH Program is only half what it was 20 years ago. The Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness estimates the unmet need is for 4,551 additional emergency shelter beds. Increasing the funding for this life-saving program by $51 million would support the new non-congregate and fixed site shelters due to be developed in the near future (current funding: $10.38 million).
