Housing & Homeless Needs Assesment: Housing Needs Assessment: |
|
4. Persons with HIV/AIDS and Their Families
The Johnson County Department of Health stated that there were 86 AIDS cases in the county as of June 1999. This is an increase of 37 cases since 1993. Iowa City's medical facilities are among the best in the nation and therefore attract persons with HIV/AIDS. According to the Johnson County Department of Health, there is no form of housing assistance available to persons with HIV/AIDS beyond that available for persons with low income.
As part of the City's CDBG program, the Iowa Center for AIDS Resources and Education (ICARE) conducted a housing study and survey of persons with HIV/AIDS, which was completed in March 1994. The study states that "in terms of housing needs, housing assistance appears to be the most effective and necessary kind of support needed by people living with HIV/AIDS". According to the survey results, 91 households, out of 129 answering the question, had incomes under $11,000 per year and of these, 44 had incomes under $6,000 per year. The income level of this population is affected by their illness and inability to work. This overall lack of income clearly shows the need for some form of housing assistance.
The study also indicates that the need for in-home services (e.g. cleaning, shopping, etc) is as important as the need for housing or rent assistance. The majority (70%) of the persons answering the survey lived with family members, friends, or a spouse.
In FY99 the City provided ICARE with $120,000 in CDBG funds. ICARE used these funds to buy a building and expand their services to better assist persons with HIV/AIDS.
Copyright © 2000 Jeonet |