HUD AWARDS $1.3 MILLION TO TUCSON FOR HIV-AIDS HOUSING PROGRAMS
Funding supports stable housing for individuals and families at extreme risk for homelessness

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $1.3 million in grant awards to assist extremely low-income persons and families living with HIV/AIDS in Tucson. The grant awards will provide these households with a stable living environment, which is essential to accessing healthcare and HIV related services. In addition to these grant programs will provide access to the needed supportive services in assisting beneficiaries with a path to self-sufficiency such as life skills, job readiness services and employment training.

The funding announced today is offered through HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA) and will renew HUD's support of 30 local programs in 20 states. HUD grants will renew support to the following programs in the City of Tucson.

"These grants will provide our local partners with crucial funding that is necessary to provide individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS a place to call home," said Secretary Shaun Donovan. "The comfort of knowing that you have a roof over your head makes a huge difference in the wellbeing of families and gives hope to those who might otherwise end up living on the streets."

"In addition to providing necessary funding for housing, HOPWA funds will also be used for health care and mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, nutritional services, case management, assistance with daily living and other supportive services," said HUD Regional Administrator Ophelia Basgal. "This renewal grant will provide stability and needed assistance to 120 households impacted by HIV/AIDS."

Project description:

Pima County, Community Development and Neighborhood Conservation Department, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,385,585 to continue providing nine units of facility-based housing, in addition to providing Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) to 40 households. Individualized comprehensive case management and supportive services will assist 80 households annually. The project is designed to create a continuum of care for people who are low-income and HIV+ and their families in Tucson and Pima County. The project is a collaborative effort with the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation and the City of Tucson's Department of Housing and Community Development.

For more information contact: Mr. Daniel Tylutki, Program Manager, Pima County, Community Development and Neighborhood Conservation Department, 2797 East Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713. Phone: (520) 243-6754, and Email: daniel.tylutki@pima.gov.

Many of the projects receiving renewed funding provide for specialized models in outreach and service delivery, including efforts that target help to persons who have been homeless or are at extreme risk of becoming homeless. The awarded programs are designed to increase coordination with the homeless assistance grant programs as well as other federal resources provided at the local level. These grants offer innovations in HIV care to increase job readiness and employment opportunities for persons in stabilized care. The grants announced today also support the Obama Administration's Opening Doors (www.usich.gov/PDF/OpeningDoors_2010_FSPPreventEndHomeless.pdf), strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, and National HIV AIDS Strategy, that identifies Housing as a key component to preventing the spread of HIV.

In addressing goals under these strategies, HUD will contribute a variety of housing resources to promote better integration of housing interventions into comprehensive HIV care systems. 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 also vital for these households in allowing them to access consistent medical care and maintain their health. Furthermore, secure housing can be a platform for improved quality of life.

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 138 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. Overall, these resources assist over 60,000 households annually to provide stable housing and reduced risks of homelessness for those living with HIV and other challenges.

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