A victory for health care via housing

Posted on by Xpress Contributor
HOME DELIVERY: WNCAP Medical Case Manager Norma Canada-Smith prepares to deliver a carload of donated household items to a newly housed client. Photo courtesy of WNCAP

Editor’s note: As part of Xpress’ Nonprofit Issue, we asked local nonprofits to share a bright moment of 2017.

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project provides HIV-related client support, prevention, education and advocacy activities guided by the belief that all people are entitled to equal access to health care and disease prevention.

In the world of HIV treatment, we have a saying: “Housing is health care.” What it means is that it is very difficult to link people living with HIV/AIDS to health care if they do not have stable housing. That’s why we try our utmost to connect our clients with a place to live.

Norma Canada-Smith
Norma Canada-Smith

And I’m happy to say that just a few weeks ago, we got three of our clients housed in a single week. That’s in addition to the dozen or so people who found housing through WNCAP in the past year. The look on a person’s face when they realize that they don’t have to sleep on the street or in a shelter that night is indescribable.

The whole community pitched in to donate dishes, blankets, shower curtains, and all those other household items that make a house a home. It is my greatest source of joy, and it truly makes me grateful for all the things in my life I tend to take for granted. At WNCAP, our clients’ success stories are our success stories. And this is a big one.

— Norma Canada-Smith, medical case manager at WNCAP

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

2 thoughts on “A victory for health care via housing”

  1. Alan Ditmore

    Repeal all single family zoning! Unit density limits! height limits! minimum unit sizes! and parking requirements! HOUSING NOW! IF YOU PICK UP LITTER THEY WILL RAISE THE RENT! CROWD OUT THE ZONERS!

  2. Alan Ditmore

    forget about dishes and that TV, use ALL resources to pay the rent! every last penny! That means no TV for anyone until you have housed everyone! Plus your car is too shiny.

Leave a Reply to Alan Ditmore ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.