The Sweat Equity Program has been successful in enabling low-income homebuyers to become involved in the construction of their new home and ease the financial burdens that inhibit homeownership. Doorways is an interfaith program in St. Louis that provides innovative residential settings where HIV-affected individuals and families can receive coordinated community resources. Doorways began providing residential services more than 10 years ago with a 10-unit project. Doorways is the only housing program specifically designed for people with AIDS in the St. Louis area. The Residential Program provides fully furnished apartments for low-income families and individuals.
Clients pay a service fee assigned on a sliding scale.
The Supportive Housing Program provides housing that includes laundry and housekeeping, food, nutrition and home health services. The complex, which is being built in a secure and confidential location in St. Louis, will target families headed by single parents, mostly women, who are living with the daily challenges of HIV in their families. One strength of the Doorways program is that it provides a range of housing options that allow clients to live as independently as practical, while meeting health care and other service needs. In addition, Doorways strives to work as a positive force in the various St. Louis neighborhoods where it operates, contributing to revitalization by redeveloping run-down and vacant buildings and building them into community assets. Board members include representatives from eight religious groups of different denominations in St. Louis.