The study aimed to determine how three support houses for people with HIV/Aids in Ribeirão Preto, SP, are organized and operated by their coordinators, and how care is provided. Semi-structured interviews were held regarding coordination functions. Structural characteristics of the locality were probed and daily institutional life was recorded using a field diary. It was found that, legally, these organizations are governed by assistance-providing and humanitarian entities that sought to conform to operational technical standards and requirements. They received subsidies from local municipal authorities but were especially maintained through donations from civil society. Women predominated among the employees and volunteers and were the coordinators. From their words, they had a multifunctional administrative stance and had difficulty in achieving social inclusion for the residents because of prejudice or the rules for how the houses should function. In conclusion, the houses are what they purport to be administratively, but should be attentive towards the need, as social agents, to encourage social inclusion.
Recuperation houses; HIV; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Care; Social inclusion
