A personal perspective: Caring for homeless people with AIDS

In inner-city neighborhoods, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) has become rampant as drug users and their partners, women, and young gay men of color account for an increasing proportion of AIDS cases. As the gay community has been decimated by the disease, a similar fate possibly awaits many inner-city residents. Service providers in the urban setting must confront the issue of homelessness among clients who have AIDS: it is no easy task to provide care to individuals living with AIDS who may also be struggling with multiple problems, such as poverty, drug addiction, mental illness, social isolation, or abuse. For some providers, the challenge may be overwhelming; they instead may choose to work with other groups of individuals affected by AIDS. For those who are prepared to commit themselves for the long haul, however, opportunities for personal growth and job satisfaction may overshadow the difficulties inherent in working with this population group.