Housing, Long Term Care Facilities and Services for Homeless and Low-income Urban Aboriginal Peoples Living with HIV/AIDS

Résumé du livre

The objectives of this research study of limited scope were: a) to examine housing issues and residential facilities and services available to homeless and low-income Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS in urban centres, and gaps in services; b) to identify appropriate services for homeless and low-income urban Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS. This research report is a synthesis of secondary research; a review of the existing literature, and primary research conducted utilizing survey questionnaires with 29 respondents that included a range of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal service providers as well as Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS in Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. Two of these respondents spoke to the specific issues affecting Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS in the Far North (Inuit) and Labrador. In addition, three (3) Native American HIV/AIDS organizations in New York, in Minneapolis-St. Paul and in Oakland were contacted for relevant information regarding housing options and culturally appropriate models of long-term care for Native Americans living with HIV/AIDS. The profile of Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS in urban centres that emerged from this limited research study indicates they are a heterogeneous low-income population whose housing and care needs may differ. At the same time, a majority of this population is living on the "hem of life" in unstable housing conditions and in destabilizing lifestyles. Additional supports, services and transitional housing are required to meet their housing and care needs which differ from those of Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS in a stable lifestyle. There is also a need to ensure that the specific housing and care needs of Aboriginal families living with HIV/AIDS, particularly those of single-parent, female-headed families, are met. Service providers and Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) identified a number of important gaps in housing, long-term residential care facilities and services for homeless and low-income Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS in urban centres.