HUD AWARDS $29 MILLION TO 25 LOCAL HIV-AIDS HOUSING PROGRAMS

Content From: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentPublished: May 20, 20153 min read

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Editor's Note: This statement was released by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on May 19, 2015.HUD No. 15-059April A. Brown(202) 708-0685

HUD AWARDS $29 MILLION TO 25 LOCAL HIV-AIDS HOUSING PROGRAMSFunding supports stable housing for individuals and families at risk for homelessness

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $29 million in grants to help approximately 1,200 extremely low-income persons and families living with HIV/AIDS annually. These grants provide a combination of housing assistance and supportive services for this vulnerable population.

In addition to housing assistance, these local programs will provide access to the needed supportive services such as case management, mental health, substance abuse, and employment training. The combination of housing assistance and supportive services are critical in sustaining housing stability, promoting better health outcomes, and increasing quality of life, which promotes self-sufficiency efforts for those able to transition to the private housing market (see attached chart and individual project descriptions below).

“Housing and health go hand in hand,” said Secretary Juliàn Castro. “These grants will provide our local partners with a critical resource to support low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Having a stable place to live can make all the difference and we’re proud to work with communities to help our fellow Americans in building productive and prosperous futures.”

The funding announced today is offered through HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA)Exit Disclaimer and will renew HUD’s support of 25 local programs in 16 states. Research shows that a stable home is critical to the health of persons with HIV-AIDS resulting in better health outcomes and reduced transmission of the disease.

The grants announced today also support Opening Doors , the Obama Administration’s strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, and the National HIV AIDS Strategy/ HIV Care Continuum, which identifies housing as a key component to reducing viral transmission. Housing assistance and related services funded by HOPWA are an essential part of the comprehensive system of care for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS. A stable home environment is vital for these households to access consistent medical care and maintain their health. Furthermore, secure housing can be a platform for improved quality of life.

The HOPWA program is both a formula-based and a competitive grant program. Ninety percent of HOPWA funds are distributed by formula to cities and states based on the number of AIDS cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HUD’s formula grants are managed by 137 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. Overall, these resources assist more than 52,000 households annually to provide stable housing and reduced risks of homelessness for those living with HIV and other challenges. Ten percent of HOPWA funds are set aside to fund competitively awarded grants.