“Humbling” was how David described that difficult time. He was diagnosed with HIV in 2000, became too ill to work, went through his savings, and faced homelessness. In a short period of time, David went from a six-figure salary to nothing except the thought of living in his car.
In 2001, a suggestion came from an unlikely place – his landlord. Knowing that David was struggling to pay his rent, David’s landlord recommended Aid for AIDS, a program of Alliance for Housing and Healing. Being a football fan, David felt like he was in the final two minutes and needed a Hail Mary pass. Could anyone help him pay rent and get back on his feet? With mounting bills and increasing desperation, David walked into the Aid for AIDS West Hollywood office on Santa Monica Boulevard.
“It was nice. I felt like a customer, not a charity case. They helped me with the documents and pretty soon I had assistance with my rent.”
The emergency rent payment did more than buy another 30 days in his apartment. It gave David peace of mind. “Knowing that I would have a roof over my head made everything else seem a little easier. I focused on getting to the doctor and putting my life back together.”
It took seven years for David to regain his strength and get back to practicing law – a humbling period that he does not plan to forget. To celebrate his recent 50th birthday, David asked his friends and family to donate to select charities close to his heart. Alliance for Housing and Healing was at the top of the list. David has also joined the Alliance for Housing and Healing board to continue to give back. He knows that our programs save lives – including his.
David is one of the 1,300 people we help each year because donors like you make that possible. Please consider a donation now. Click here to contribute to help those in need of emergency rent assistance.
