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NAT and Shelter set new approach for assessing housing need
NAT (National AIDS Trust) has today launched a guide about HIV for housing officers. The guidance, produced in partnership with Shelter, follows a report1 in January which revealed evidence of poor practice in housing provision for people living with HIV. Research shows inappropriate housing has a detrimental effect on the health of someone living with HIV, with potentially life-threatening consequences.
HIV and housing: a practical guide for housing officers on HIV and its impact on housing needs sets out a new approach for assessing the housing needs of someone with HIV. It is designed to enable professionals involved in housing allocation and support to understand HIV and its effects.
Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, comments:
“Evidence shows people living with HIV are still struggling with the impact of poor housing and discrimination, much of which is caused by a lack of understanding about HIV. As the number of people living with HIV in the UK continues to rise, it is increasingly important that all housing officers know how HIV affects housing needs. This new guidance will enable housing officers to make correct assessments, which we hope will ultimately improve the quality of life for many people with HIV in the UK.”
Mark Thomas, Head of Policy at Shelter, said:
“Bad housing has a serious impact on people’s lives and this is further exacerbated if they are also dealing with a long-term health condition. Whether it is access to social housing, tackling homelessness or supporting people to stay in accommodation, the particular needs of someone living with HIV must be taken into account.”
The Guidance is also supported by the Charted Institute of Housing (CIH). Richard Capie, Director of Policy and Practice at CIH comments:
“People living with HIV may experience a complex range of needs at different times in their life. It is important that housing professionals have a clear and up-to-date understanding of how to work with service users who are living with HIV to ensure their well-being and to maximise their life opportunities.”