Housing
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HIV cannot be passed on through kissing, touching, spitting, coughing or sneezing.
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Consultation responses
Find out what NAT is saying to Government and other decision-makers.
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Entitlement of asylum seekers to housing from Social Services
The House of Lords decision in M v Slough Borough Council has changed the rules on the entitlement of asylum seekers to housing from Social Services. A significant number of HIV-positive asylum seekers who have been receiving accommodation and support from Local Authorities under Section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 will be affected by this ruling.
NAT and Hackney Community Law Centre have produced a briefing for those working with HIV-positive asylum seekers to explain the impact of the ruling and provide guidance on how best to help affected clients.
You can download our advice on Section 21 for organisations supporting people living with HIV here.
Poor quality housing can have a seriously detrimental effect on people living with HIV. This is especially so for people who have health problems associated with their HIV status.
For example,
- Damp accommodation with inadequate heating creates an unhealthy and potentially dangerous environment for people with respiratory infections and tuberculosis.
- For people living with HIV who suffer from fatigue and breathlessness, stairs can become an insurmountable daily obstacle.
NAT has worked in partnership with Shelter to produce guidance on HIV for housing professionals, particularly housing officers who assess housing and homelessness applications. HIV and housing: a practical guide is designed to help housing professionals better understand and meet the needs of people living with HIV. The guide draws attention to issues which are often not taken into account, such as treatment adherence and the fluctuating nature of HIV. To order a hard copy of the guidance please email policyandcampaigns@nat.org.uk
We have also produced a policy report Housing and HIV which sets out key policy recommendations on housing provision for people with HIV.
In addition you can also see our BHIVA poster - Housing and HIV as well as learn more about HIV and housing in a report we produced jointly with Crusaid - Poverty and HIV
Keep informed
If you would like us to let you know when our work on housing is published then please click here to get in touch.
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