Housing first and harm reduction: Practices and standards

5^th International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs and STIs

November 13-14, 2017 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Suzanne C Moore

Caracole, Inc., USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

Caracole is an ASO in Cincinnati, Ohio with permanent housing programs for homeless individuals and families, site based housing, homelessness prevention support and prevention/education services. In 2013, the housing programs transformed from a housing ready to a housing first model in an effort to address client needs. A greater percentage of our clients are people who inject drugs, are newly released from prison and/or are engaged in sex work. As a housing ready agency, our program was under-utilized and clients were struggling. Following our belief that housing is a right and housing is healthcare, Caracole identified the need for new programming, including HIV/HCV testing, Evidence Based interventions and site based harm reduction services. Three years into this new model, we have powerful data to support that our clients are experiencing decreased viral loads, fewer arrests and overdoses and increased housing stability. We can prove that housing = healthcare. The Caracole housing team includes case management, prevention and education services, specialized housing support and mental health services. In addition, relationships with MAT providers, mental health and treatment agencies, shelters, outreach workers and other housing programs provide a continuum of care. We are proud of our client�s successes and look forward to sharing not only our data, but continued barriers, implementation, outcomes, staff challenges and client response.

Biography :

Suzanne C Moore studied Psychology and has worked in substance abuse and with the homeless population for over 10 years. For the last 7 years, her focus has been housing opportunities for people living with HIV, specifically Housing First. She has presented on Housing First and Harm Reduction at the National HIV/AIDS Housing Conference in Washington DC, the National Harm Reduction Conference in San Diego and various other HIV related events. She is currently the Associate Director of Housing at Caracole, Inc., SW Ohio’s largest AIDS Service Organization. Caracole, Inc. has 2 permanent housing programs, an upcoming site based housing program and several financial services.