HIV/AIDS Services

The mental health and emotional issues of dealing with an HIV diagnosis can often contribute to the patient becoming homeless.  Inability to work, soaring medical costs, and loss of one's support system can all cause a patient to lose his or her home.

HIV is found in epidemic proportions among homeless populations in the United States. The homeless population has a median rate of HIV prevalence at least three times higher - 3.4% versus 1% -- than the general population. A 2000 study by Columbia University showed that the greatest need for HIV or AIDS treatment after medication was stable housing. The inability to access regular, quality medical care increases the difficulty of managing this complex disease. 

HELP USA opened Corder Place Apartments in Houston in 1999 to provide permanent, affordable housing to low-income individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families.  HELP USA plans to develop more residences to provide this population with medical care, child and youth programs, and other supportive services as the HIV/AIDS crisis continues to expand.