HUD AWARDS $18.8 MILLION HIV/AIDS

HUD AWARDS $18.8 MILLION TO HELP PEOPLE and FAMILIES LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

Grants to provide permanent homes and services to more than 1,000 families in 13 states

WASHINGTON - More than a thousand low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS will find a permanent home and get access to the services they need because of nearly $18.8 million in grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Over the next three years, the funding announced today will offer compassionate assistance to some of the most impoverished Americans, persons with HIV/AIDS who are in households experiencing a high risk of homelessness.

The funding announced today is part of HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program. Housing assistance and related services funded by HOPWA are a vital part of the comprehensive system of care for those living with HIV/AIDS. A stable home environment is critical for low-income persons managing complex drug therapies and potential side effects from their treatments. Later this year, HUD anticipates awarding an additional $18 million for other programs committed to finding supportive housing for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

"HOPWA provides housing support to some of the most vulnerable Americans," said Jackson. "We know that a stable home environment helps persons living with HIV/AIDS to better care for themselves and when that happens, people live longer."

In connection with the HUD funding announced today, these projects are using $27 million in other public and private resources to carry out these projects and help even more persons living with HIV/AIDS to find a stable home. Over the next three years, the HOPWA grants announced today will renew funding for 14 outstanding projects that provide permanent supportive housing activities. The funding will also support five new special projects that will design new approaches to meet the housing and service needs of their clients to help them transition to more permanent and self-sufficiency arrangements (see attached list for project summaries).

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 121 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. This year, HUD is making available a total of $282 million in HOPWA funds to help communities provide housing for this special needs population.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with HIV/AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation’s fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

HUD No. 05-108 Brian Sullivan (202) 708-0685 hud.gov/news/ For Release Friday August 19, 2005

more at HIV/AIDS and HIV or AIDS and HUD or Housing and Urban Development