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The
National AIDS Housing Coalition (NAHC) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded
in February, 1994. NAHC believes that persons living with HIV/AIDS have a
fundamental right to decent, safe, affordable housing and supportive
services that are responsive and appropriate to their self-determined needs.
The purpose of the NAHC is to ensure that the diverse voices of those
infected and affected by HIV are heard and their needs are met. Our mission includes educating
legislators and public policy makers about the need for housing
programs that assist persons living with HIV/AIDS and
encouraging new initiatives and better coordination between
federal agencies, including the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development, Health and Human Services and the Veteran's
Administration. |
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Coalition members
work collectively and collaboratively with each other and with
other local and national organizations to meet the housing needs
of HIV-infected individuals and their families of choice across
the nation. NAHC is financed by member dues, foundation grants,
and individual donations. NAHC does not receive any government
funding. |
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Board of Directors |
NAHC is governed by its Board of Directors. Currently, there are
22 members on the Board, representing communities in 16 states
and the District of Columbia. Board members come from a variety of
communities – urban, rural and suburban – in states as diverse as Alabama, California, Colorado,
Hawaii, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and
the District of Columbia. Board members come from a variety of backgrounds,
professionally and personally, and are diverse racially, ethnically, and by
gender, sexual orientation, and HIV status. Board members represent a broad
range of interests when it comes to AIDS housing: some are housing
developers, some are housing providers, some are housing residents; all are
AIDS housing advocates. The NAHC Board believes its personal and
professional diversity and the breadth and depth of its experience reflects
the Coalition's membership, ideals, and ultimately, its strength.
Making an Impact
NAHC's contributions to AIDS housing include training, educating and sharing
experiences with other housing developers, providers, residents and
advocates through AIDS Housing Institutes and Workshops at conferences
across the country; participating in on-going meetings with the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure AIDS housing issues
are a HUD priority; that AIDS housing program are run effectively and
efficiently; and that HUD policies are responsive to the needs of persons
with AIDS, including those who are homeless, those who are at risk of
homelessness, and those who are multiply-diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and mental
illness and/or chemical dependency.
The Coalition also works to encourage new initiatives and better
coordination between federal agencies such as HUD, HHS, and the Veteran's
Administration (since many veterans, especially homeless vets, are
HIV-infected). Lastly, NAHC works with other local and national advocates to
ensure the Administration and Congress recognize the importance of AIDS
housing and support AIDS housing programs and policies, through
appropriations and authorizations.
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