Initiative Objectives/goals; Why is it important
Summary
The HIV Housing Toolkit is a nine-module online resource that provides information and resources about housing in BC for both people living with HIV and service providers who support people living with HIV.
It was developed as part of the community-based research study Positive Living, Positive Homes (PLPH), which examined the experiences of health and housing of people living with HIV in three case study sites in BC: Kamloops, Prince George, and Greater Vancouver.
Some topics of the modules include Choosing and Moving Into Housing; HIV, Stigma, and Housing; and Trouble-Shooting Tenant Problems. Each module contains resources, including downloadable graphics, to support their contents.
Support for Positive Living, Positive Homes and the HIV Housing Toolkit was provided by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, CIHR, REACH, and the University of Victoria.
HIV Housing Toolkit
FOCUS
Overcoming Stigma
Supporting People Living With HIV
SINGULAR IMPORTANCE OF THIS INITIATIVE
People living with HIV can face a variety of challenges, including stigma and discrimination, as they seek housing. Through community-based research and meaningful engagement of people with lived experiences, the HIV Housing Toolkit was developed to assist people living with HIV and service providers supporting people living with HIV navigate BC’s housing system.
LEADS
PAN, University of Victoria, Dr. Catherine Worthington and Janice Duddy
initiative funders
REACH Nexus, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
TARGET AUDIENCE
People living with HIV and service providers who support people living with HIV.
TARGET SCHEDULE / TIMELINE
Launched in 2019, with the final module added in 2020; currently available online.
Positive Living,
Positive Homes!
Meaningful engagement with people with lived experience
Strategies and resources included in the HIV Housing Toolkit emerged from interviews with people living with HIV in the three centres that participated in the Positive Living, Positive Homes study.
As the Toolkit was developed, people with lived and living experiences of HIV were asked to review contents for modules and provide feedback.
The HIV Housing Toolkit was also presented to attendees of the CBR Quarterly in BC community of practice, which includes peer researchers.
“Yeah, my kids are number one”
Participant in the Positive Living,
Positive Homes Study
“In summary, we found in PLPH that for some participants, the goal of a good life for their children led them to make significant and sometimes difficult choices within their own lives.”
Madeline Gallard
COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH COORDINATOR,
PACIFIC AIDS NETWORK
RESULTS
The HIV Housing Toolkit and its resources are being shared across platforms. It is included in the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness’ Homeless Hub resource repository, and has a permanent home on the PAN website.
Biggest Challenge
Scoping—ensuring we are providing the information that is most relevant, helpful, and accurate for both people living with HIV and service providers who support people living with HIV.
Best Lesson
Engage stakeholders from many different backgrounds and walks of life in doing knowledge translation! We were very privileged to have external reviewers (including people with lived and living experiences, service providers, and policy makers) on almost every module of the Toolkit. Their feedback and suggestions were invaluable.
“ …decision-making was not always easy, and sometimes brought fear, anxiety, and stress for some PLPH participants.”
Research team member for THE POSITIVE LIVING,
POSITIVE HOMES Study.
