PROGRAMS

Since its founding, DOORWAYS has developed programs that strive to meet both the existing and developing populations of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

As one of the most comprehensive AIDS housing programs in the nation, DOORWAYS offers housing options designed to meet the diverse needs of the HIV-affected population. Today, DOORWAYS serves those who are chronically ill and cannot live independently, men, women and single parents with children who require supportive services in addition to housing assistance, and adults with and without dependent children who need monthly rental and utility assistance. All DOORWAYS’ clients live below the federal poverty level.

The organization has served more than 7,000 households since its founding, and currently assists more than 600 adults and 300 children locally and statewide in Missouri and Illinois through four core programs.

OWN HOME

The Own Home program not only shelters the homeless, but works to prevent homelessness for those who are stably housed. Serving PLWHA in St. Louis City and the surrounding seven Missouri and two Illinois counties, the Own Home Program provided more than $1 million in rent, mortgage, utility and move-in subsidies in 2011. As a result, a total of 722 households, including 872 adults and 364 children received assistance and became stably housed.

OUTSTATE/STATEWIDE

The Outstate program, DOORWAYS’ farthest reaching program, was developed to bring services to under-served and rural communities in 62 Missouri and 55 Illinois counties. It provides housing funding to AIDS Service Organizations and provides housing directly to persons affected by HIV/AIDS.

This past year, project partners in Missouri included the AIDS Project of the Ozarks and the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network in Columbia. In Illinois, DOORWAYS collaborated with Bethany Place in Belleville and Fifth Street Renaissance in Springfield.

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM

The Residential program has 103 apartment units at seven sites located throughout the City of St. Louis, which were home to 229 people in 119 households, of which more than a third were children. The Residential program serves people affected by HIV/AIDS who are capable of independent living, but whose financial and health issues limit their ability to pay fair market rent. Many of these clients also received supportive or social services last year, including those who resided at the Family Residential Complex, which focuses specifically on providing safe, affordable housing in two adjacent buildings to families with children.

JUMPSTART

Jumpstart, designed for parents with HIV/AIDS, provides housing in 18 apartments in St. Louis. A total of 21 adults and 57 children found stable housing through this program in 2011.

DOORWAYS’ SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FACILITY (DSHF)

The Supportive Housing Facility is the most comprehensive and service-enriched program, offering permanent supportive housing for people with HIV/AIDS who cannot live independently due to mental and physical issues that require 24-hour care and support. Many of the residents in the DSHF have suffered from chronic homelessness. The fully-accessible facility features 36 studio rooms complete with full baths and provides 24-hour supervision and nursing care, case management and supportive and social services. This past year, 44 individuals stayed at the DSHF with a median length of stay of two years and 11 months.