Join Us for a Webinar: How Can We Achieve the NHAS Goal for Reducing Homelessness among People Living with HIV?

Content From: Nathan Fecik, MPH, Public Health Advisor, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesPublished: September 20, 20173 min read

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Join us for a Community Webinar and Listening Session

On Monday, September 25, 2017, from 2:00–4:00 pm ET, the HHS Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy will host a community listening session webinar, “Reducing Homelessness among People Living with HIV to Reach Our National Goals.” The primary goal of this webinar is to obtain input from national, state, and local leaders, service providers, and community members including people living with HIV and those who have been, or are currently, homeless about how best to reduce homelessness among people living with HIV.


People Living with HIV are at Greater Risk for Homelessness. Throughout many communities, people living with HIV risk losing their housing due to factors such as increased medical costs and limited incomes or reduced ability to keep working due to related illnesses. Securing stable housing is a key part of achieving successful HIV health outcomes.

Homeless and Unstably Housed People Living with HIV are Less Likely to Achieve Viral Suppression. With safe, decent, and affordable housing, people with HIV are better able to access comprehensive health care and supportive services, get on HIV treatment, take their HIV medication consistently, and see their health care provider regularly.

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy Sets a National Goal for Reducing Homelessness among People Living with HIV. The National/HIV AIDS Strategy (NHAS) sets a target of reducing the percentage of persons in HIV medical care who are homeless to 5% or less by 2020.

However, These Results are Going in the Wrong Direction – Homelessness among persons in HIV medical care increased from 7.9% in 2013 to 9.0% in 2014. This latest data indicates that we have moved further away from the 2020 NHAS goal, signaling the need for thoughtful efforts to reverse that trend and make up lost ground.

This webinar will engage Federal staff and key community stakeholders whose work involves homelessness prevention, housing stability, HIV prevention, care, treatment or other issues affecting the lives of people living with HIV and those who are at risk for infection in a discussion to:

  1. Review and obtain input about the barriers to stable housing and challenges that community members face in reducing homelessness among people living with HIV.
  2. Hear how community leaders and members have successfully worked to address homelessness among people living with HIV.
  3. Receive recommendations from stakeholders participating in the webinar for consideration by the NHAS Federal Interagency Workgroup and relevant Federal agencies that have the potential to reduce homelessness among people living with HIV and achieve the goals of the Strategy.

Confirmed Speakers to date in order of presentation:

  • Richard Wolitski, Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Jemine Bryon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  • Heather Hauck, Deputy Associate Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB)
  • Amy Palilonis, Senior Program Specialist, Office of HIV/AIDS Housing, HUD
  • Jennifer Fagan, Health Scientist, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Peter Toepfer, Vice President of Housing, AIDS Foundation of Chicago
  • Loretta Dutton, HIV Care Director, New Jersey Department of Health Division of HIV/STD/TB Services
  • Harold Phillips, Director, Office of Domestic & Global HIV Training & Capacity Development Programs, HRSA HAB

Note: Awaiting confirmation of additional speakers

We hope you can join us for this important discussion!

Read more about housing and health on HIV.gov.