Title of Event:


Name of Organisation:

Date and time of the session:

Overcoming Barriers: Housing and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa and Aboriginal Communities in Canada
Rooftops Canada, Lu'ma Native Housing Society and Housing People of Zimbabwe

22 nd June, 2006, 16:30 to 18:30

Key Highlights

1. Estimated no of participants: 65 participants from over 13 countries.
2. Stakeholder group representation at the event:

•  Social and co-operative Housing groups

•  Urban policy experts

•  Funding organizations

•  Microfinance Institutions

•  NGOs, Housing organizations

•  Academia

•  Press

•  Religious and Youth organizations

3. What were the expected objectives:
• To provide an opportunity to learn, share experiences and information
• Engage with and get to know a wider number of people and groups working on HIV/AIDS and human settlements issues.
• To develop strategies on how housing organisations can support people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS
• Provide tools and resources that would facilitate better responses:

• i. Simulate training sessions from South Africa to help participants examine the impact of HIV/AIDS on housing groups and clients, and draw on their experience to suggest how housing organizations can respond

• ii. Disseminate a CD of information, case studies, policies and training material on HIV/AIDS and Housing

4. What did the networking event achieve:

•  Forging the direct link between HIV/AIDS and Housing among those interested in Human Settlements development.

•  Created a broad platform for on-going networking to identify concerns and delineate strategies that focus on housing responses to HIV/AIDS specifically related to emotional, physical and financial supports as well as the principles and partnership for such responses.

2. What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII?

We believe that the themes and sub-themes of the WUF were not comprehensive and did not adequately capture the issues and content of our session. We have however, tried to create the best fit as below.

"Sustainable Cities: Turning Ideas Into Action"

• HIV/AIDS is a Housing and Human Settlements issue, especially among women and children, the majority of urban slum dwellers. Adequate and affordable housing has to be a critical component of any significant response to HIV/AIDS.
• UN Habitat does not adequately acknowledge the direct link between HIV/AIDS and housing, and needs to find suitable and effective responses
• National and local policy does not adequately recognize or address the housing needs of those living with HIV/AIDS

"Social Inclusion And Cohesion"

• Homelessness/ Eviction

•  Those affected fear being dishoused either because they are unable to meet rent/mortgage obligations, or from stigma and discrimination due to disclosure.

•  Tenure rights of surviving family, particularly women and children, needs protection - they cannot afford loan payments or are disadvantaged by traditional inheritance practices.

•  Need for awareness and education to reduce stigma, discrimination and to promote community based support, peer education and counselling.

"Partnership and Finance"

• There are few financial safety-nets or instruments for people living with HIV/AIDS particularly as it relates to their housing needs.

"Urban Growth and the Environment"

• The lack of basic services in slums increases the risk of opportunistic infection.

3. What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion?

This session was run as a workshop simulating training processes used in South Africa .

Three groups discussed concerns and responses around HIV/AIDS and Human Settlements as below:

• Stable and secure housing is an important part of the response to HIV/AIDS. The lack of basic amenities increases the risk of opportunistic infection.
• Emotional, physical and financial supports are necessary
• Education and awareness creation among communities and households to reduce stigma and discrimination
• Involvement of many constituencies - particularly youth - in awareness and programs.
• Counselling including traditional, cultural and spiritual healing and the importance of social networks to reduce isolation
• Urban agriculture, microfinance to assist families with income generation
• Financial instruments - loans, support funds, insurance - to help families retain their housing status in the event of death of the head of the households.
• Support for end of life-help with drawing up a will, planning for ceremonies, planning for children's future and shelter and care
• Government housing policy has to recognize and subsidize the special needs of those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and encourage blended housing policy
• Networking is crucial to provide a multi-dimensional response to those affected.
• Advocacy initiatives to ensure continued tenure for spouse/ partner and children

4. What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality?

• Build the network of organizations who are interested in understanding the impact of housing in responding to HIV/AIDS
• Enhance collective and organizational capacities and strategies to develop housing based responses to HIV/AIDS
• Explore possible exchange and study visits between participants' organizations
• Develop advocacy initiatives aimed at UN Habitat to acknowledge the direct link between HIV/AIDS and Human Settlements and to find suitable and effective housing based responses to HIV/AIDS
• Continuous documentation and dissemination of the Resource CD