Randomized trial of the effects of housing assistance on the health and risk behaviors of homeless and unstably housed people living with HIV

Richard J. Wolitski, Daniel P. Kidder, Sherri L. Pals, Scott Royal, Angela Aidala, Ron Stall, David R. Holtgrave, David Harre, Cari Courtenay-Quirk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

156 Scopus citations

Abstract

Homelessness affects HIV risk and health, but little is known about the longitudinal effects of rental assistance on the housing status and health of homeless and unstably housed people living with HIV/AIDS. Homeless/ unstably housed people living with HIV/AIDS (N = 630) were randomly assigned to immediate Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) rental assistance or customary care. Self-reported data, CD4, and HIV viral load were collected at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Results showed that housing status improved in both groups, with greater improvement occurring in the treatment group. At 18 months, 51% of the comparison group had their own housing, limiting statistical power. Intent-totreat analyses demonstrated significant reductions in medical care utilization and improvements in self-reported physical and mental health; significant differential change benefiting the treatment group was observed for depression and perceived stress. Significant differences between homeless and stably housed participants were found in astreated analyses for health care utilization, mental health, and physical health. HOPWA rental assistance improves housing status and, in some cases, health outcomes of homeless and unstably housed people living with HIV/ AIDS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)493-503
Number of pages11
JournalAIDS and behavior
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HIV seropositivity
  • Health services accessibility
  • Health status
  • Homeless persons
  • Housing
  • Mental health
  • Randomized controlled trial
  • Sexual behavior

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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