Located in the heart of San Francisco, Derek Silva Community (DSC) is a housing program that offers case management and medical care for individuals living with HIV. The program provides the security of permanent subsidized housing, allowing residents to focus on medical treatment, as well as mental health and substance abuse issues, without fear of homelessness. “People see individuals with mental health issues and don’t realize that those issues typically come from deep traumatic abuse,” says Kevin Fauteux, PhD, director of Derek Silva Community, “and substance abuse becomes the only viable path for these individuals to escape the pain of that trauma.” Each resident is provided with a case manager, as well as medical care, their own bathroom and kitchen to help facilitate nutritional and physical health and help provide dignity and a quality of life. “HIV might no longer be the death sentence it once was,” Kevin says, “but it continues to result in stigma and fear and disability and depression that can be akin to a death sentence.”

“People change in this program, whether it is simply having a safe place to live free of their fears, or a major transformation overcoming substance or mental health issues, and to see those changes brings hope to my life.”

In 2024, Derek Silva Community provided 3,710 hours of case management services to 68 clients. The positive results of rehabilitation from Derek Silva Community are evident in its annual impact. 100% of residents surveyed reported that their access to services such as food, healthcare and benefits had improved because of the program in 2024. Kevin recalls a resident who, as a child, experienced severe abuse from her parents, resulting in self-hatred, suicidal ideation, and drug abuse, “Once she had a safe home and workers who cared for her, helping her to develop confidence in herself, she was able to get the psychiatric help she needed to understand her trauma and manage her addiction.” DSC’s harm reduction model emphasizes the important connection between housing and long-term healthcare, “Derek Silva Community provides stable housing where residents can get the help that the streets didn’t provide, allowing them to feel secure enough to learn to manage the challenges and traumas that resulted in substance abuse, mental and physical health issues.” “People change in this program,” Kevin says, “whether it is simply having a safe place to live free of their fears, or a major transformation overcoming substance or mental health issues, and to see those changes brings hope to my life.”   For more information on Derek Silva Community visit https://catholiccharitiessf.org/derek-silva-community/ To watch a video on the history of  Derek Silva and the Silva Family click here To watch a video highlighting Derek Silva Community staff member Joseph Northington, click here To donate to Catholic Charities and help support programs like Derek Silva Community, visit https://catholiccharitiessf.org/donate/