Chunnika Hodges, a passionate advocate and public health leader, kicks off the MDHHS HIV Housing Summit with a powerful reflection on her lived experience as a Black Woman living with HIV. Her remarks centers on resilience, the intersection of housing & health, and the vital role of civic engagement in shaping equitable systems. Through personal storytelling and a call to action, Chunnika challenges attendees to center community voices and commit to transformative change in HIV housing policy & practice.

Mastering “Healthy Ever After”, is understanding that better housing equates to better health for all people. “Better housing”, meaning quality housing, safe neighborhoods and more importantly, sustainable housing.

This seminar focuses on the social determinants of health, food, and nutrition for people living with HIV. It explores how factors such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, housing, and social support impact the health and wellbeing of individuals with HIV. Participants will learn about the specific nutritional needs of people living with HIV, the challenges they face in accessing nutritious food, and the importance of culturally relevant nutrition education.

The seminar also highlights strategies for addressing food insecurity, promoting health equity, and advocating for policies that improve access to healthcare and healthy food options. Practical skills for creating personalized nutrition plans and supporting individuals in managing their health will be emphasized.

Learn about what advocacy is and how it differs from lobbying. Hear about the varied ways that concerned folks can participate in advocacy on issues that they care about. Receive information on advocacy tools and resources.

CTS assists individuals who are living in a nursing home and want to move out into the community. These individuals have to qualify for the program: Qualifications include: 1. Have Active Medicaid, 2. Be residing in a nursing facility, and 3. There is a barrier to discharge. 

Thanks to improvements in HIV treatment, people living with HIV are living longer than ever before. In fact, almost 50% of people living with HIV in the US are now 50 and older with a life expectancy nearing their peers without HIV. However, aging with HIV is not without its challenges, including a much higher risk for cognitive decline. This brain changes include not only memory changes, but physical changes as well. Join us to learn:

1. Common changes from HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder that may threaten safety at home:

2. How to assess the person and environment for common safety concerns

3. Common home modifications that can be made to maximize safety and help people age in place independently

This presentation will cover the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) Housing Programs focusing on the Master Leasing program. OLHSA's Master Leasing Program was created because our clients were experiencing barriers that prevented them from obtaining housing. This program has helped clients to overcome those barriers and to be stably housed.

Where you live also directly impacts how you live – and even your life expectancy. As we come to understand more about these connections, it seems that the stakes for equal housing opportunity have never been higher. This session will include an overview of all fair housing protections with an emphasis on protections for individuals with disabilities. Under the federal and state fair housing laws, disability is defined to include people living with HIV. Additional topics to be covered during this session include relevant examples of housing discrimination, reasonable accommodations and modifications for people with disabilities, and tools to assist in advocating for fair housing.

Older adults are one of the fastest growing demographic groups in Michigan and the US. According to the National Institute on Aging, nearly half of people living with HIV in the United States are age 50 and older. For many older adults with chronic health conditions, there is an assumption that facility-based care is the only option as they age. The session will include an inter-active discussion on the needs of older adults living with HIV and will highlight resources that are available for supporting both independent and assisted living in community-based settings.

The SOAR Program is an expedited process for filing SSI/SSDI claims for persons with disabilities who are also homeless or in danger of becoming homeless

Deaf People Living with HIV (DPLWH) face unique challenges in accessing services due to lack of resources in ASL, language injustice, and limited qualified interpreters available for appointments. This session will discuss the barriers to care for DPLWH and best practices for engaging DPLWH and providing culturally relevant services that are inclusive and promote language justice.

CHAG's EHE program, Project H.O.M.E., looks to expand access to housing education and assistance while addressing housing as the foundation of social determinants of health (SDOH). This presentation is a quick look into the day to day activities of a Housing Specialist, including intakes of new PLWH clients and accompanied needs assessments, advocacy work, negotiating with landlords, and collaborating on care with other case managers and organizations. I will also discuss housing education and creating quarterly Housing Summits for the clients.