MISSION

ASD creates and strengthens healthy communities through the delivery of quality, affordable, service-enriched housing for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. ASD’s mission includes advocacy, education, and the development of affordable housing options and community development opportunities, both for its residents living with HIV/AIDS, and for economically disadvantaged people.

Operating on three core values - Respect, Justice, and Mercy - ASD clients are provided with a range of services designed to remove barriers to care and empower them to cope with the lifelong impact of HIV/AIDS on their physical, mental, emotional, and financial health.

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1987 as PWA Coalition of Dallas, AIDS Services of Dallas (“ASD”) has grown into a nationally recognized model for improving the health statuses of those suffering from HIV/AIDS while preventing additional disease transmission. ASD now operates four state-licensed apartment communities that collectively provide service-enriched housing for 225 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.

Need Addressed

Although vast improvements have been made in the treatment of HIV/AIDS since it first began to ravage our community in the 1980s, it remains a disease that permanently impacts those who are afflicted. The lifelong impacts on their health, combined with the social stigma and the dramatic psychological effects of a diagnosis, can wreak havoc on the individual as well as their families.

Tragically, the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services reports that, “In 2015, it was estimated that about 16,387 people were living with HIV in Dallas County, representing an increase of 56% since 2005.” Shockingly, Dallas County also has the highest rate of new HIV infection in the State of Texas, so the challenge grows larger every year.

The challenge is particularly daunting among the homeless, approximately 5-10% of whom are HIV positive. Unfortunately, low-income people in Dallas struggling with HIV/AIDS bounce between a variety of non-permanent living situations – such as homeless shelters and living with friends or relatives – that lack the intensive support necessary to manage the disease and minimize transmissions.

The estimated cost for a single homeless person is over $15,000 per year in public services such as the county hospitals, shelters, and jails. For the “chronically homeless,” these costs exceed $40,000 annually. Within this group, those with HIV/AIDS impose the heaviest burden on our public systems due to increased hospitalizations and medication. Ultimately, providing permanent supportive housing to the homeless saves Texas tax payer dollars by reducing health care costs by 59%; reducing emergency room costs by 61%; and, decreasing in-patient hospitalizations by 77% (sources include Green Doors, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the University of Texas, and The Dallas Morning News).

ASD provides these residents with the dignity of a home while reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and significantly lowering the burden placed on taxpayers and on these public systems.

Population Served

ASD serves people who are economically disadvantaged, vulnerable, sick, and/or facing an immediate threat: at least 95% of the population served by ASD live at or below 200% of the US Federal Poverty level and 100% are vulnerable and sick due to HIV/AIDS.

CORE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

1. Housing: This service provides safe housing along with home health care to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Care is provided on a 24-hour basis by ASD's Personal Care Aide staff (PCA's). This program provides individual care and general housekeeping for residents needing support for activities of daily living, as well as emotional support for residents who must develop coping skills necessary to live with HIV/AIDS.
2. Case Management: Provided by a professional staff of onsite case managers who perform a critical role in ASD's housing services by providing in depth individual resident assessments, case assessments, and coordination of both onsite and offsite services.
3. Medical Case Management: Provides residents with onsite HIV experienced registered nurses who coordinate medical appointments, clinical care, medication assistance and administration, and prescription delivery with local healthcare providers.
4. Transportation: Provided to residents for health-related trips and supportive services.
5. Meals: ASD provides up to three meals a day for all residents, five days a week, including Supper Clubs sponsored by local volunteers. The Food Services Program assures proper nutrition and a healthy diet for a population with special needs.

This range of services has been demonstrated to remove barriers to care and to empower residents to cope with the overwhelming impact of HIV/AIDS, which results in a dramatic decrease in utilization of public resources like Parkland Hospital.

511 LANCASTER PROJECT

In Fall 2017, ASD acquired a property located at 511 N. Lancaster Avenue in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. The structure is currently a 2 building apartment complex with four 2 bedroom apartments and four 1 bedroom apartments. In September 2018 the City of Dallas thru the HOPWA program awarded ASD $1,190,445 to renovate and rehabilitate these 8 units into 12. We have design plans to add an additional 4 units for a total of 16 apartments bringing the total renovation cost to an estimated $2 million.

The completion of these 16 units will increase capacity by a minimum of 25% for low-income (80% or lower AMI) men, women and families living with HIV/AIDS and enable the organization to provide it’s nationally acclaimed housing and supportive services to those with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Estimated completion Fall 2020.

RECOGNITION

As the largest HIV/AIDS housing provider in the State of Texas, ASD operates four apartment communities that provide service-enriched housing to individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. All four of ASD’s apartment communities are located within walking distance of each other in the North Oak Cliff (adjacent to the Central Business District of Dallas). Each facility provides a privately-furnished residence for each individual or family household. All buildings have elevators and are wheelchair accessible. Common areas are available to residents of each facility for recreational and dining activities. The demand for such services is so great that, at any given time, ASD maintains a waiting list of 100-125 persons who are waiting to move into one of our residences.

These apartments have been licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services to serve up to 225 men, women and children in 152 bedrooms within 125 private apartments. ASD’s model has been nationally recognized as one of the most effective strategies for preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, including the HUD Best Practices Award and two separate Excellence in Affordable Housing awards from the Metropolitan Life Foundation. As such, ASD’s service-enriched housing model has been replicated by many organizations nationwide.