The Aids pandemic has a devastating effect on households where loan payments cannot be made as a result of an AIDS related illness and affected family face the probability of homelessness. The reality of Aids orphans and child-headed households is escalating.

Our market, which encompasses the economic backbone of South Africa, is perceived to be one of the most vulnerable to HIV and Aids infection.

Our priorities are:

• to ensure that home loans are, and remain, available to lower income people based on their affordability and not their HIV status;

• to ensure that lenders do not have non-performing loans as a result of HIV and Aids-related illness and therefore, that affected people retain their homes;

• that affected borrowers and, in time, their partners, have sustainable access to appropriate treatment.

Our programme is national and is designed as a living benefit to all.

All HLGC guarantees available to lenders providing loans in terms of acceptable credit criteria can have the benefit of instalments being paid for the duration of the term of the loan, where the default is a direct result of an HIV or Aids related illness, the borrower participates in a treatment programme, the lender does not proceed with eviction.

The fundamental success of this Programme requires the increased dissemination of focussed information, communication and education to encourage early voluntary counselling and testing for borrowers. This promotes prevention and treatment which are primary risk management interventions.

HLGC through the H4H Foundation facilitates access to treatment. Our market on its own cannot afford the treatment required. While many borrowers have medical aid, it is not always sufficient to cover all aspects of HIV and Aids. The Housing for HIV Foundation has been established in Washington DC, specifically to donate its investment income to subsidise treatment costs. The HLGC does not pay for treatment. However, treatment is fundamental to our ability to manage our risk, and therefore we facilitate its availability.

Our existing education programmes have been enhanced to accommodate the aspects of HIV and Aids that influence housing decisions and borrower ability to meet financial commitments. To increase capacity and extend the service we offer and we interact with organisations in the education field that specialise in HIV and Aids.

This is the first time that homeowner's loans, and therefore their homes, will be protected in the event of an aids related illness. It is the only programme that links health to housing and facilitates its access. More specifically, it is confronting the HIV and Aids situation head on.

By linking Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), appropriate treatment and sustainable home ownership, the family unit is kept together in formal housing in the event of serious illness or death of the breadwinner. Given the huge success that appropriate treatment is now enjoying, at least 80% of affected people are able to continue in the employment or become re-employed during treatment. This has an enormously positive impact on the family, within communities and on the macro environment of the country.

>>> H4H Foundation

To find out more, contact victor@hlgc.co.za.

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