A Lexington-based nonprofit that’s been helping HIV-positive people for more than three decades won a 1-point-5 million dollar grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Jon Parker is the executive director of A-VOL Kentucky. He said the award is a renewal of a 3-year housing assistance grant and shows HUD officials think they’re doing a good job.
“One in seven people living with HIV don't have don't know they have the virus. Also, people who are living with HIV are much more inclined to be healthier, live well, if they have stable housing.”
Since the late 1980’s, the group then known as Aids Volunteers of Kentucky has offered a range of services to people who are HIV-positive. Parker said while today’s medications can keep those folks from developing AIDS, the grant will also help keep them, and others, healthy.
“The more treatments including housing that we put in someone's path, the less virus they carry in the body. And they get to a point where it's called undetectable. They don't have the ability to give it to somebody else.”
Parker said along with state housing funds, the HUD grant will allow AVOL-Kentucky to assist 300 to 400 people.
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