Many people with HIV and AIDS find it impossible to continue working as their illness progresses. Often, this leads to inadequate housing at a time when a clean, quiet and private home environment is more critical than ever to sustaining physical and emotional health. Furthermore, when uncertainties about housing exist, essential nutritional needs often remain unmet.
Canada's First HIV/AIDS Housing Project
The McLaren Housing Society of British Columbia is a non-profit organization
that provides safe, affordable housing to men, women and families who live
with HIV/AIDS, are in financial need and yet are able to live independently.
The Society, founded in 1987, developed out of the original Housing Committee
of AIDS Vancouver and is named after Ted McLaren, who was one of Vancouver's
leading advocates for affordable housing for persons with AIDS. McLaren's
first housing project was a 5- bedroom house offering a communal living
situation in a supportive environment. This home was known as McLaren House,
and was the first project of its kind in Canada. McLaren House was closed
in September 1993 and those housing units were replaced by portable rent
supplements in order to better meet the needs of the clients...