HIV/AIDS Complex Opens

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Jul 29, 2004 11:45AM

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday marked the opening of an $18 million facility for people living with HIV and AIDS. The nearly 3-acre campus is located in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood and has been created by a non-profit group called AIDSCare, which helps patients with housing and healthcare.

HIV infection rates in North Lawndale are more than double those in all of Cook County and there are only 117 beds on the West Side that are dedicated to those living with the disease. AIDSCare founder and CEO, Jim Flossi, says "There is a huge need for this facility in the West Side community."

The first building is complete and four more buildings will be added by next spring. The complex will ultimately serve up to 125 residents and will include apartments, a pharmacy, a dental clinic, meeting rooms, banquet facilities, a chapel and a wellness center. Officials say that the gathering of residences and related services for those living with HIV/AIDS is the first of its kind in the nation.