HIV and housing : VIH et logement : vers une stratégie nationale : document de travail

With Bill C-304 currently proposing the development of a national housing strategy at the time of writing this document, this paper is intended to contribute to the discourse by reinforcing the urgent need for accessible, adequate, affordable housing for people living with and at risk of HIV, and to inform the development of a strategy that takes their needs and experiences into consideration. [...] Dedicated to strengthening the response to HIV/AIDS across all sectors of society and to enriching the lives of people and communities living with HIV/AIDS, CAS advocates on behalf of people and communities affected by HIV/AIDS, facilitates the development of programs, services and resources for our member groups, and provides a national framework for community-based participation in Canada's resp [...] The background document highlights housing as a determinant of health, how HIV and housing are linked, housing and mental health considerations, and the importance of having access to affordable, adequate housing for people living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS. [...] As well, the background paper briefly discusses the realities of the current Canadian housing landscape, including homelessness, the lack of core7 housing infrastructure, the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, and barriers and facilitators to housing access. [...] The Challenge The body of evidence that demonstrates the complex relationships between housing and HIV/AIDS, and housing and health in general, supports aligning any strategy to address the fundamental causes of homelessness and unstable housing in Canada with coordinated responses to HIV/AIDS (Cisneros, 2007; Wolitski et al., 2007).