HUD AWARDS $5.3 MILLION TO FOUR LOCAL CALIFORNIA 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 that extremely low-income Californians living with HIV/AIDS will continue to receive permanent housing as a result of $5,323,368 in grants HUD is awarding. Annually, this HUD funding will provide permanent supportive housing so they can manage their health and access needed supportive services such as case management 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 four California non-profits and community organizations (see attached chart and individual project descriptions below). The entire list of HOPWA renewal grants can be found on HUD's website.

"These grants offer housing, vital healthcare and hope to hundreds of households that combine to literally save lives," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Having stable housing can make all the difference to the health of someone living with HIV/AIDS who might otherwise be struggling to live on our streets."

Project descriptions for the four California renewal HOPWA grants:

The Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,483,179 to continue their "Project Independence" program that provides tenant-based rental assistance to 118 at-risk households along with case management and supportive services. This program features use of shallow rent subsidies as part of a comprehensive range of housing support in a continuing collaboration between Alameda County and its project sponsors, AIDS Project of the East Bay, Ark of Refuge, and Tri-City Health Center.

For information contact:
Ms. Hazel Weiss, Community Development Manager, 224 W. Winton Avenue, Room 108 Hayward, CA 94544
Phone: (510) 670-5941
Email: hazel.weiss@acgov.org

City of Los Angeles Housing Department is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,501,500 to continue providing tenant-based rental assistance to 90 households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Coordination with mainstream housing programs is undertaken in a partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles that enables program beneficiaries to transition into Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher housing assistance within 18 months. Other local partners are the County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and Shelter Partnership that assist in providing supportive services to ensure client stability. The City of Los Angeles is also a participant in 2 signature HOPWA initiatives: "Getting to Work"; a national pilot effort to increase access to employment opportunities for PLWHA, and the Integrated HIV/AIDS Housing Plan; a cross program approach to HIV/AIDS service and care.

For information contact:
Ms. Suzette Flynn, Director of Housing Services, 1200 West 7th Street, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 808-8932
Email: suzette.flynn@lacity.org

Tenderloin Health, a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,276,170 to continue providing tenant-based rental assistance to 30 households. This program provides permanent housing and supportive services to post-incarcerated persons living with HIV/AIDS and also assists 22 households annually with emergency housing for those recently released from incarceration prior to receiving permanent supportive housing. The organization also provides an array of supportive services to clients such as: individualized care plans, mental health counseling services, substance abuse counseling, and referral and linkage to medical services. Off-site service providers provide additional services to ensure housing stability for program participants.

For information contact:
Mr. Tyrone Payne, Director of Housing Services, P.O. Box 423930, San Francisco, CA 94142
Phone: (415) 307-2540
Email: Tyrone.Payne@tlhealth.org

The Salvation Army, in Los Angeles County, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,062,519 to continue their "Alegria Program" that provides 44 units of facility-based permanent and transitional housing for homeless and at-risk of homelessness families and persons living with HIV/AIDS. A combination of supportive services provided by mainstream community resources compliment the provision of housing support through access to a care management system that integrates existing case management, on-site case monitoring, crisis intervention, medical care, licensed child care, tutorial service, and employment referral.

For information contact:
Mr. Zachary Ginder, Director, 180 East Ocean Boulevard, Suite 500, Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: (323) 454-4201
Email: zachary.ginder@usw.salvationarmy.org

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 at extreme risk of becoming homelessness. 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 Opening Doors (http://www.usich.gov/PDF/OpeningDoors_2010_FSPPreventEndHomeless.pdf), the Obama Administration's new strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness.

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 135 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. Earlier this year, HUD awarded these jurisdictions nearly $300 million in formula grants. This year, HUD had made available a total of $332 million in HOPWA funds to help communities provide housing for this special needs population. 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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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.

HOPWA 2012 Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal Grants for California