People living with HIV are not only at real risk of poverty, but in many instances this deprivation can actually contribute towards worsening health.

Together with Crusaid, we produced a report in 2006 on HIV and Poverty which revealed that for many people living with HIV in the UK, poverty is a harsh reality. Many of these people have faced barriers such as discrimination in the workplace, social stigma, hate crime, difficulties accessing benefits and inappropriate accommodation. They are living on little or no income.

The report also found that:

• Poverty and HIV are inextricably linked.
• Applicants to the Crusaid Hardship Fund now have more unmet basic needs (such as food) and are experiencing greater deprivation than in previous years.
• Increasing numbers of those applying to the Fund with severe poverty are asylum seekers.

See the report Poverty and HIV.

Housing and Benefits

We are also working on two areas closely linked to poverty - housing and benefits.  Amongst other things, we are calling for people living with HIV to be treated as a priority for access to social housing and for a benefits system which supports an appropriate standard of living for people living with HIV to ensure they live healthily and with dignity.