Abstract:
Addressing homelessness is a critical component of HIV prevention; in high income
countries, unconditional cash-transfer (CT) programs have been implemented for
housing support with youth populations. Here we describe a pilot unconditional
CT program for street-connected young women in western Kenya and stakeholder
and beneficiary perceptions of its feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness,
implementation and sustainabilit. Interviews were conducted with 17 participants, of
which 9 were street-connected young women (median age 22 years) and 8 were key
informants (policymakers, healthcare workers and community organization workers in
two counties). Almost all street-connected young women were strongly in support of
the CT program, citing numerous potential benefits, including general wellbeing and
safety, improved community perceptions secondary to housing related cleanliness,
the potential to create businesses and generate independent income, and finally HIV-
related adherence benefits. In general, stakeholders were also supportive, with some
indicating additional programmatic considerations were necessary related to the CT
monetary amount, disbursement procedures, and sustainability and expansion. The
CT program was found to be highly feasible, appropriate and acceptable; participants
provided additional input on implementation and sustainability approaches.
