HUD ANNOUNCES $2.6 MILLION TO SUPPORT HOUSING AND SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN PORTLAND
Portland receives two of 26 grants awarded nationwide

PORTLAND - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regional director announced two
grants that will help people who are living with HIV/AIDS, and who might otherwise be living on the street, find a stable home and receive the services that they need.

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 individuals and families managing complex drug therapies and potential side effects from their treatments.

The City of Portland has been awarded a new competitive grant in the amount of $1,402,577. The Frannie Peabody Center has been awarded a renewal grant in the amount of $1,273,947. This funding is part $27.5 million awarded nationwide through 26 grants.

"These grants offer a stable home and critically needed services to persons living with this disease so they can devote themselves to staying healthy," said Taylor Caswell, HUD's New England regional director. "Through our dedicated partners - the Frannie Peabody Center and the City of Portland - HUD is not only helping to provide
homes and help, but we are offering hope to people at risk of living on our streets."

The City of Portland Social Services Division will use its grant to provide rental assistance for 33 households. The Haven's Outreach to Racial and Ethnic Minorities is a permanent supportive housing project for chronically homeless persons and families living with HIV/AIDS. The project is a partnership with two nonprofits - the Frannie Peabody Center and Shalom House will provide direct client support service to persons who have cultural and language
issues as immigrants or refugees in accessing assistance. Case management support will assist residents in
accessing other support services and health care.

The Frannie Peabody Center, a community-based organization in Portland, will use its grant to continue providing
124 units of short-term rent, tenant based rental assistance, and facility-based housing placement services for
low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Collaborating partners include Shalom House, Maine Medical Center, Positive Health Care Facility, and Eastern Maine AIDS Network. A combination of supportive services will be
provided through mainstream community resources and will compliment housing support through access to HIV/AIDS case management, volunteer assistance, life skills education training and medical care.

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 AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
and espanol.hud.gov.

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