HUD AWARDS $2.8 MILLION TO TWO HAWAII LOCAL 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 Hawaiians living with HIV/AIDS will continue to receive permanent housing as a result of $2,831,127 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 two Hawaii non-profits (see 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."

Descriptions of the two Hawaii grants:

Gregory House Programs, a non-profit organization based in Honolulu, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,390,650 to continue providing tenant-based rental assistance to 35 households and transitional housing to 11 households. This program provides critical supportive services such as substance abuse counseling, life skills trainings, case management, and other services to ensure that clients receive necessary supports and stable housing outcomes for low-income households living with HIV/AIDS in the greater Oahu community.

For information contact:
Mr. Jonathan Berliner, Executive Director, 200 North Vineyard Boulevard, Suite. A310, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: (808) 592-9022
Email: jonb@gregoryhouse.org

The Maui AIDS Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Maui County, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,440,477 to continue its "Neighbor Island Housing" program that provides 60 households with tenant-based rental assistance, 10 households with short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to prevent homelessness, and 351 households with supportive services along with housing information services. This comprehensive case management service model is a collaboration between Maui AIDS Foundation, Malama Pono-Kauai, and the Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation designed to promote housing stability and reduce incidences of homelessness.

For information contact:
Mr. Steve Hire, Interim Executive Director, 1935 Main Street, Room 101, Wailuku, HI 96793
Phone: (808) 242-4900 ext. 222
Email: steve@mauiaids.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 (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 at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's
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HOPWA 2012 Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal Grants for Hawaii