AIDS Interfaith Residential Services (AIRS)

About Us : AIRS provides supportive housing, emphasizing self-sufficiency, for low-income and homeless individuals and families living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS.

Company Overview

Since AIRS was founded in 1987, our mission has been to provide service-enriched housing for low-income and homeless families and individuals at risk of and living with HIV/AIDS. We began this journey providing housing for four men with end-stage AIDS. Today, we provide supportive housing and services to hundreds of individuals and families. Our goal is to increase the availability of and access to this housing and these essential services and resources to help men, women, families, and young adults improve their health and become active, contributing, self-sufficient members of the larger community.

As we move forward, we will maintain our commitment to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, while increasing our housing and supportive services for homeless and unstably housed young adults, working proactively to break the cycle of homelessness in younger adults.

The key to a healthier, better life begins with a safe, stable place to call home and the skills and resources all people need to support themselves, financially, emotionally, and in terms of health and wellbeing. That foundation is what we strive to provide.

AIRS PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

DON MILLER HOUSE is the cornerstone of AIRS. Founded as the faith-based community’s response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, the Don Miller Homes provide 24-hour personal care for individuals severely disabled with HIV/AIDS. Compassionate care supports individuals as they experience the impact of AIDS and other health conditions. Eligibility criteria: Low income HIV+ individuals with a disability.

ADULT PERMANENT HOUSING PROGRAM--City provides rental assistance and scattered site housing throughout Baltimore City. Supportive case management creates greater access to healthcare, employability, and income, with the goal of strengthening self-sufficiency. Eligibility criteria: Homeless, very low income HIV+ individuals with a disability and their family members.

ADULT PERMANENT HOUSING PROGRAM--County provides rental assistance and scattered site housing throughout Baltimore County. Supportive case management creates greater access to healthcare, employability, and income, with the goal of strengthening self-sufficiency. Eligibility criteria: Homeless, low income HIV+ individuals with a disability and their family members.

AT THE DOOR PROGRAM provides rental assistance and scattered site housing throughout Baltimore City, targeting HIV+ ex-offenders leaving the prison population, assisting them continued services after a successful period in transitional housing. Supportive case management focuses on client access to healthcare, education, employment and community services activities that can successfully connect them to their community. Eligibility: Homeless, low income, HIV+ ex-offenders and their family members.

UN NUEVO COMIENZO PROGRAM provides rental assistance and scattered site housing throughout Baltimore City and County to HIV+ immigrant clients with Limited English Proficiency, of mainly Hispanic/ Latino origin. Supportive case management creates greater access to healthcare, employability, and income, with the goal of strengthening self-sufficiency. Eligibility: Low income, HIV+ individuals and family members with Limited English Proficiency.

YOUTHSPACE BALTIMORE PROGRAM provides rental assistance and scattered site housing throughout Baltimore City for homeless youth ages 18-24. Supportive case management creates greater access to healthcare, employability, and income, with the goal of strengthening self-sufficiency. During the first 18 months, youth receive transitional program services that additionally provide life skills education and workforce development services, then move if successful to permanent housing status. Eligibility: Homeless youth age 18-24, low income individuals with a disability and their family members.

GEAR (Growth Empowerment Advancement and Recognition) is a Workforce Development Initiative founded in 2008 for all residents of AIRS/ City Steps Programs. It is meant to be a voluntary service focused on a range of pre-employment, volunteer, and leadership development, in addition to traditional education, job training and employment support activities

EMPIRE HOMES OF MARYLAND (EHM)-- A nonprofit Community Housing Development organization whose mission is to develop, manage, and maintain affordable residential properties for low-income people and those with disabilities.

EHM was established in 2005 as a wholly owned subsidiary of AIRS to increase the number of affordable supportive rental housing to accommodate the AIRS waiting list. Since its creation, EHM has developed nearly 200 units. EHM develops housing through acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction development that focuses on special needs populations. EHM also provides development consulting services that expand the capacity of other small to mid-sized non-profit housing providers.

EHM provides a Case Management Sensitive (CMS) approach to property development and management. CMS Development pays special attention to unit accessibility including handrails, ramps, elevators and ADA construction when necessary. Access to service providers, public transportation and other basic amenities groceries, laundry are also considered.

CMS Property management involves quarterly property inspections where proactive property maintenance issues are addressed and the living conditions of the resident are accessed. Inspection reports are generated and provided to the case manager of the resident. Experience has shown that these reports often serve as warnings to case managers that a client intervention may be necessary.

CITY STEPS--A consortium of residential and non-residential programs serving homeless and unstably housed youth ages 14- 24 that include case management, emergency services, life skills and targeted workforce development assistance.

CITY STEPS PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

CITY STEPS YOUTH RESOURCE CENTER

The City Steps Youth Resource Center opened September 2, 2008. Here we provide case management, emergency services, life skills education and referrals to housing for homeless and unstably housed youth, ages 14-24.

CARRIAGE HOUSE - TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH

The Carriage House Transitional Living Program provides supportive case management, independent living skills training, educational and job coaching to support job skills and income growth for homeless youth and is the only such program in the state of Maryland. Residential services are available for seven single young men and women, ages 18-21, with a history of homelessness and a readiness to take advantage of support services for up to 21 months. Eligibility: Homeless youth age 18-21, low income individuals with/ without a disability.

GERALDINE YOUNG FAMILY LIFE CENTER

The Geraldine Young Family Life Center is a transitional living program serving parenting youth, ages 18-24 that provides supportive case management, independent living skills training, educational and job coaching to support job skills and income growth for homeless or unstably housed youth and their children. Residential services are available for 12 young parents and their children for a period of up to 24 months. Eligibility: Homeless individuals 18-24, low income women with/ without a disability and their family members.

RESTORATION GARDENS

Restoration Gardens is a 43-unit apartment complex in Southern Park Heights for young adults. The facility includes a fully computer-networked building with enhanced support and community services, with strong ties to employment and educational opportunities. Eligibility: Homeless youth age 18-24, low income individuals with/ without a disability.