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“Because, at the end of the day, between shelters and emergency rooms and jails, it costs about $40,000 a year for a homeless person to be on the streets.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Shaun Donovan Homelessness causes serious health care issues, including addiction, psychological disorders, HIV/AIDS, and a host of order ailments that require long-term, consistent care. Homelessness inhibits this care, as housing instability often detracts from regular medical attention, access to treatment, and recuperation. This inability to treat medical problems can aggravate these problems, making them both more dangerous and more costly.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports missed opportunities for addressing the epidemic. “While many people with HIV are diagnosed (82%) and linked to care (66%), far fewer remain in regular care (37%) and only one quarter (25%) are virally suppressed.” More people that are virally suppressed means less AIDS deaths and fewer new infections.

While “take your medications” is the simple answer, people living with HIV face many barriers to this task. ACS works to address these challenges and helps people gain control over their health. This encourages them to see their value and the benefit of restoring their life for opportunity.