by John Claybaugh, formerly homeless veteran
The 27th Annual AIDS Walk Colorado was held in Cheesman Park on August 16. The Walk is the Rocky Mountain Region’s largest and most successful HIV and AIDS fundraiser. An estimated 8,000 people from throughout the state came together to raise money for the Colorado AIDS Project (CAP) and more than 20 other outstanding AIDS service organizations. The event served as a day to remember those we have lost to the disease, with prominent speakers, panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, a Celebration of Life Festival, live music, food, beverages, and the 6th annual AIDS Walk Colorado Volleyball Tournament, held in conjunction with the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association.
What does that mean to advocates of people experiencing homelessness?
According to Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s 2013 Point In Time survey there were 120 people living with HIV or AIDS who were dealing with homelessness. Keep in mind, these counts always miss people, which is unfortunate.
Living with HIV and AIDS means that people need to eat healthy, but how does a person do that when they don't have the funds and the facilities to provide for themselves? Pasta and pastries are easy to get when one is living on the street, but a more healthy diet is difficult to maintain.
Another issue that people have is the need to take medication. Storing it where there is daily access can be difficult. Most of these medications work better with food while others have to be taken with food. So people have to find food at the proper times of the day in order to take their meds. And if they lose meds it can be difficult or even impossible to replace them.
There are some housing options. CAP supports two facilities that house people living with HIV and AIDS. Dave's Place provides permanent housing for 16 people. This facility is an old mansion near 14th and Josephine. Juan Diego provides housing for 21 individuals and is located just south of the current CAP offices in northwest Denver. There are also funds that come directly from HUD that help to house people living with HIV and AIDS. These funds also help pay deposits and app fees when individuals are trying to get housing.
Within the homeless community there are other issues people face daily. Many times people living with HIV or AIDS won't tell a service provider he or she has AIDS unless they feel that doing so will bring a benefit. This is primarily due to confidentiality. Essentially, providers need to be aware of CAP so that if someone says they have HIV or AIDS they can be referred to CAP in order to get services. CAP has money to spend on hotel rooms and other things that other providers don't necessarily have.
People living with HIV or AIDS need to go to the doctor once every three to six weeks in order to maintain the best health possible. This can use up a lot of time and also requires a person to always be looking for funding for transportation. CAP is usually able to give their clients a book of bus tickets each month. Most of the providers in the homeless community are more limited in what they can give out.
The fact that there are people living with HIV or AIDS who are dealing with issues of homelessness means that the community needs to be aware of the specific issues these individuals face. By helping to provide for them, we can insure that they don't die on the streets waiting for housing.
What does that mean to advocates of people experiencing homelessness?
According to Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s 2013 Point In Time survey there were 120 people living with HIV or AIDS who were dealing with homelessness. Keep in mind, these counts always miss people, which is unfortunate.
Living with HIV and AIDS means that people need to eat healthy, but how does a person do that when they don't have the funds and the facilities to provide for themselves? Pasta and pastries are easy to get when one is living on the street, but a more healthy diet is difficult to maintain.
Another issue that people have is the need to take medication. Storing it where there is daily access can be difficult. Most of these medications work better with food while others have to be taken with food. So people have to find food at the proper times of the day in order to take their meds. And if they lose meds it can be difficult or even impossible to replace them.
There are some housing options. CAP supports two facilities that house people living with HIV and AIDS. Dave's Place provides permanent housing for 16 people. This facility is an old mansion near 14th and Josephine. Juan Diego provides housing for 21 individuals and is located just south of the current CAP offices in northwest Denver. There are also funds that come directly from HUD that help to house people living with HIV and AIDS. These funds also help pay deposits and app fees when individuals are trying to get housing.
Within the homeless community there are other issues people face daily. Many times people living with HIV or AIDS won't tell a service provider he or she has AIDS unless they feel that doing so will bring a benefit. This is primarily due to confidentiality. Essentially, providers need to be aware of CAP so that if someone says they have HIV or AIDS they can be referred to CAP in order to get services. CAP has money to spend on hotel rooms and other things that other providers don't necessarily have.
People living with HIV or AIDS need to go to the doctor once every three to six weeks in order to maintain the best health possible. This can use up a lot of time and also requires a person to always be looking for funding for transportation. CAP is usually able to give their clients a book of bus tickets each month. Most of the providers in the homeless community are more limited in what they can give out.
The fact that there are people living with HIV or AIDS who are dealing with issues of homelessness means that the community needs to be aware of the specific issues these individuals face. By helping to provide for them, we can insure that they don't die on the streets waiting for housing.
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