Media Release
Friday 29 September 2023
After eight years of operating, Positive Life NSW regrets to inform our members, community, HIV sector and allied partners that the long running Positive Life Housing Support program will close on 13 October 2023.
“With the exception of pilot funding in 2016, Positive Life NSW has independently funded the highly successful Housing Support program for the past seven years,” said Mr Robert Agati, Positive Life NSW Board President.
“Over this time, we have extensively explored our funding options to maintain the Housing Support program. To the great disappointment of Board, staff and community, this has proved unsuccessful.”
“The past eight years is testament to the stewardship and dedication of staff living with or affected by HIV, demonstrating the effectiveness of peer support for over 1008 people living with HIV across metropolitan and regional areas of NSW to access, achieve and maintain stable accommodation, including those at risk of homelessness.” said Ms Jane Costello, Positive Life NSW CEO.
“We recognise that housing is a key social determinant of health and wellbeing, especially for people living with HIV, which makes this decision all the more challenging for our Board,” said Mr Agati. “We acknowledge the closure with great sadness and regret that the Board has had to make this difficult decision.”
“The continual demand for Housing Support from our community and steady growth of the Housing Support program year on year, coupled with the unique care and compassion of staff living with or affected by HIV demonstrated this was a vital and essential service for many people living with HIV in NSW,” said Mr Agati.
Positive Life will continue to support and advocate for all people living with HIV across NSW and offer referrals within our existing peer navigation program to ensure the needs and interests of our community continue to be met.
Positive Life NSW Housing Support program – The program offered support and advocacy to all people living with HIV across the NSW metropolitan and regional areas to access, achieve and maintain stable accommodation, including those at risk of homelessness from 2016 to 2023.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Costello, CEO – 1800 245 677 or email communications@positivelife.org.au
Positive Life NSW is the largest peer-led and run representative body of all people living with HIV in Australia based in NSW. We make a significant contribution to, and positive impact across the spectrum of health and social issues on behalf of all people living with HIV in collaboration with HIV specialist and mainstream services to improve the health and quality of life of all people living with HIV in NSW. We do this through evidence-based health promotion, research, policy advice and peer support.
