A Message From The Executive Director

Greetings

As you are undoubtedly aware, there has been a sea change in the political climate in St. Paul and Washington D.C. The state legislature and the new Congress convened in January. Both are grappling with very difficult budgets.

For the first time, Clare Housing's recent strategic plan identifies public policy as an area for staff and board activity. Of course, we have been involved in advocacy, to some extent, for several years. For example, I am on the board of the National AIDS Housing Coalition [NAHC] and chair the Minnesota HIV Housing Coalition.

But, now we will ramp up our efforts. Here's what's happening:

  • We have initiated a board and staff public policy work group. This group will start its work by gaining a thorough understanding of the policy environment as it affects Clare Housing and will recommend goals and strategies to the board later this year.
  • In my role at NAHC, I met with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan in January and will be meeting with our congressional delegation in March.
  • I will continue to serve on Minnesota AIDS Project's public policy committee, the Association of Residential Resources of Minnesota's [ARRM] public affairs committee and continue my involvement in the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless.
  • In February, Clare Housing hosted a meeting of providers and public administrators to hear a presentation by Arturo Bendixen, vice president of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, about his research connecting high use of Medicaid and social structures such as housing and homelessness. It is my hope to generate interest in having Arturo do a similar study in Minnesota.

Why get involved in public policy and resource allocation? It's simple: it helps our mission.

It helps us learn how to educate our elected officials. In addition, you – as a supporter of Clare Housing – can learn how to advocate among your friends and family about the benefits of Clare Housing's work and how the programs are funded.

Our vision is that "all persons living with HIV/AIDS have affordable, safe and stable housing with access to the supportive services they need to lead satisfying lives with dignity." In order to continue to create housing options for PLWH/A, those who make decisions about allocating public resources need to understand the issues and solutions that have proven effective in AIDS housing.

We know that being housed improves health outcomes for PLWH/A. We know that being housed is a structural intervention of the first order in preventing the spread of HIV. We also know that providing shelter and supportive services to people who are homeless or unstably housed saves money in the health care system.

And the need is real. We had over 200 people apply for the 45 apartments at Clare Midtown. As Michele Boyer, our program director, said as she watched the waiting list grow, "Getting a roof over your head shouldn't be a lottery." We estimate that there are 400 PLWH/A who are homeless on any given night in the Twin Cities.

Public officials need to hear that, and so do members of the general public whose support and understanding we need. The fact that resources are very tight makes it all the more important to be in conversations with elected officials and their staff.

Our work continues and I look forward to the discussions ahead!

Yours truly,

Lew Lewis

Lee Lewis
Executive Director