Dear Friends,
During this week’s observance of World AIDS Day, we will join communities around the globe in reflecting on the progress made and the work still ahead in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This year’s theme – Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress – reminds us that we can only meet this challenge by working together.
Scientific breakthroughs have changed HIV from a death sentence in the 1980s and ’90s to a chronic, manageable illness today. Today, HIV remains an epidemic in the United States – one that can be prevented. In Texas, 105,365 people are living with HIV/AIDS.
In Harris County, we believe that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is about more than just access to healthcare— it’s about addressing the systemic barriers that prevent individuals from living healthy, fulfilling lives. For example, for many people with AIDs, housing is healthcare and a cornerstone of health and stability. Almost half of all people living with HIV/ AIDS will need housing assistance at some point.
In our communities, we’ve prioritized funding programs that address both immediate and long-term housing needs for everyone. Studies show that stable housing significantly improves health outcomes for individuals living with HIV. Through the Harris County Commissioners Court, I’ve championed investments in affordable housing and supportive services that help people stay housed, adhere to treatment, and thrive. Thanks to federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration, Harris County has invested over $285 million into acquiring, preserving, and building affordable housing so that all will have a safe place to call home.
Harris County has also prioritized investments in supportive services and homelessness prevention programs. We’re committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable residents who face eviction and homelessness have the necessary medical care and other services to stay connected to stable housing and are taken care of.
This approach aligns with national efforts to expand access to care and eliminate structural barriers. It is encouraging to see advancements such as long-acting PrEP treatments and innovative prevention strategies that bring us closer to ending this epidemic. But these tools are only effective when paired with a commitment to equity and justice—values that guide all of our work in Harris County.
World AIDS Day is also a time to honor those we’ve lost and celebrate the resilience of those living with HIV. It is a reminder that the fight against stigma is just as important as the fight against the virus. By uplifting marginalized voices, investing in education, and fostering partnerships with organizations on the frontlines, we are building a community that leaves no one behind.
As we commemorate this day, I want to express my gratitude to the healthcare providers, advocates, and community organizations who make this work possible. Your dedication inspires us all to keep striving for a world free of HIV/AIDS.
Together, we will continue taking bold steps to sustain and accelerate progress for future generations.
In Solidarity,
Rodney Ellis