San Francisco Chronicle - December 4, 2005
Sabin Russell, srussell@sfchronicle.com.

Troy Brunet wanted out.

With the help of the AIDS Housing Alliance/SF and The Chronicle's Season of Sharing, he made it. He has an apartment of his own and a future ahead of him.

"I needed to find a place that was bigger, safer and more convenient," Brunet said.

Shortly after he learned of a South of Market studio apartment for rent, he read an article about the housing alliance in The Chronicle and called up for help. He could pay the rent, but not the up-front costs. Within a few weeks, he had a check for a security deposit and keys to a new home.

"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have been able to be here," Brunet said. "It makes you more comfortable with yourself, and your life, when you don't have to worry when you get home that someone's been in your room."

AIDS and the powerful drug cocktails that tame the virus have taken a toll on the 40-year-old. Bone loss, which is suffered by some HIV-positive patients, has led to four painful hip replacement surgeries. Because of his medical condition, he lives on a monthly disability check.

His new home has been a huge boost. "I love it," he said. "It is very clean. They take very good care of the building."

Still recovering from surgery two months ago, he nevertheless recently volunteered to help a program to feed the homeless at the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco.

The housing alliance builds relationships with landlords and helps find housing for HIV-positive people who are homeless, in danger of losing their residence, or need a better environment to regain their health.

Founded just two years ago, the alliance has already provided housing help to 400 HIV-positive people -- assistance ranging from advice on how to keep up with the rent and avoid eviction, to cash grants that cover security deposits in a new place to live.

"We protect housing that people already have, provide resources to help people move when they have to, and promote public policy to create more housing for people living with AIDS," said alliance Director Brian Basinger.

Three out of four clients are disabled AIDS patients who are either homeless or facing homelessness, he said.

Basinger is proud of Brunet. "Troy came to us to help get him out of a drug-infested environment, which we did with the help of Season of Sharing," he said. "He has blossomed and is a wonderful guy who volunteered with us to help out at events like the Castro Street Fair."

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