The executive director of HIV/AIDS housing agency Calcutta House announced last week he is stepping down and that the organization’s operations could be taken over by another local HIV/AIDS service organization.
Executive director Matt Teter notified Calcutta supporters last Thursday of the move, saying the organization has entered talks with Philadelphia FIGHT about the possible development of a partnership.
Teter said the overwhelming need for housing for people with HIV/AIDS has become apparent in the past year, and Calcutta House does not currently have the ability to meet that need.
“We’ve been looking at the landscape across the city in terms of AIDS housing because of this new conversation that has been developing over the last year,” he said. “It’s become apparent that there needs to be a leading organization that is much larger than Calcutta House and is prepared to respond to any possible changes that our decision-makers and lawmakers would propose. As of now, Calcutta House is not in that position, so we need an organization that is larger to look to the future and the possibilities for expansion.”
Calcutta House, now in its 25th year, currently provides housing for 31 residents. It employs 35 staffers, although about a dozen are pool nurses.
What effect a possible relationship with FIGHT could have on the employees or residents is unclear, and Teter emphasized that discussions with FIGHT are still in the preliminary stages.
He said that, when considering possibilities for an agency that could successfully absorb Calcutta House’s operations, FIGHT seemed the best choice.
“First and foremost, it’s an organization that is very financially stable,” Teter said. “They also have stable leadership, and over the past few years have been educating themselves about housing issues, learning about what a good AIDS housing program looks like in a large city. I feel like they’re in the position to not just take over our current operations but also to lead the advocacy work needed to created an improved housing system for people with HIV/AIDS in Philadelphia.”
Mark Seaman, FIGHT director of development and communications, declined to provide a timeline for any decision on the developments, but said FIGHT is exploring all options.
“There are many unanswered questions regarding any sort of partnership between our two organizations,” he said. “Should it become clear that it is in the best interest of FIGHT, Calcutta House and, most importantly, the people living with HIV/AIDS in Philadelphia, steps could be taken to bring our organizations closer together.”
In light of the changes, Calcutta House has cancelled next month’s planned Night Train to Las Vegas fundraiser.
Teter’s final day as executive director will be March 11. He has accepted a position as the executive director of a nonprofit in Missouri.
Seaman commended Teter’s work at Calcutta House during his nearly three years as executive director.
“Calcutta House has been an important part of the continuum of care in Philadelphia for nearly 25 years and has done much for the people living with HIV/AIDS in our city,” he said. “From FIGHT’s perspective, Matt Teter has served his agency well as its executive director, and we wish this talented individual the very best in his future endeavors.”
FIGHT also recently underwent its own expansion, with the move of its administrative offices, Project TEACH and Critical Path programs to the third floor of 1233 Locust St., an addition of almost 2,500 square feet of new space.
Seaman said the move allows for more clinical space for the Jonathan Lax Center, as well as more space for client services, case management and therapy programs, all of which are still located on the fifth floor of the building.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].