As many as 60% of all HIV positive people have experienced homelessness or unstable housing (such as staying on a friend's couch, where a person could be kicked out at any time) in their lifetimes, according to research by Angela Aidala, Ph.D. of the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. But often, even when organizations or governments provide housing as a part of HIV services, the issue is talked about in a way that blames individuals for "risky behavior" and assumes that if someone is dealing with both housing problems and HIV, these two challenges are a result of being a "risky person."

For 20 years, AIDS housing activists have known that housing challenges are often beyond the control of an individual because lack of stable, adequate housing affects whole communities and is rooted in racism and poverty. The research of Mindy Fullilove, also at Mailman, has shown that destruction of urban neighborhoods uproots whole communities of people and makes them vulnerable to homelessness, drug use, and HIV.

A coalition of activist groups led by the New York City AIDS Housing Network (NYCAHN), Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), and Housing Works - the HASA For ALL campaign - is fighting to expand the New York City's unique guarantee of rental assistance, a nutritional allowance, and transportation for people living with AIDS to all low-income New Yorkers living with HIV.

The shelters are like warehouses for men. Guys who go to work have to fill out a "late return." And you can fill out the paperwork, but if the person on duty doesn't put it in the proper place, you lose your bed. While I was living in another shelter, I finished an HIV treatment education class at a local AIDS service organization and completed a building maintenance class, but it was very hard for me - that and keeping my doctor's appointments, because I'm HIV positive.

South Africans living in the imijondolo - shack dwellers - have by far the highest HIV prevalence in the country. Sometimes called shantytowns or informal settlements, these communities of people, living in shacks made of materials like tin and paper, usually have no water, electricity, sanitation, healthcare or garbage removal.

ACT UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, has been fighting for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and for human rights-based HIV prevention in Philadelphia for 20 years. Here are longtime Member Jose de Marco's seven basic steps for a successful teach-in at a homeless shelter.