HUD AWARDS $3.7 MILLION TO LOCAL HIV/AIDS HOUSING PROGRAMS IN MAINE
Funding supports stable housing for individuals and families at extreme risk for homelessness

BOSTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that extremely low-income people in Maine living with HIV/AIDS will continue to receive permanent housing as a result of $3,796,621 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 The Frannie Peabody Center (see attached chart and individual project descriptions below).

"These grants offer housing, vital healthcare and hope to Maine households that combine to literally save lives," said HUD New England Regional Administrator Barbara Fields. "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."

The Frannie Peabody Center, a community-based organization in Portland, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,054,799 to continue its HAVEN Initiative. This project, serving the City of Portland and Cumberland County, provides permanent supportive housing for persons living with HIV who have other complex needs, including persons with histories of homelessness, and incarceration, and persons with mental health and substance abuse disorders. The program provides tenant-based rental assistance to 32 households and short-term mortgage, rental or utility assistance that helps prevent homelessness to at least 18 households annually. Additionally, the project provides permanent housing placement services annually to 12 households and supportive services to 150 households. The Frannie Peabody Center is also a participant in the Integrated HIV/AIDS Housing Plan initiative announced in 2011.

The Frannie Peabody Center is awarded a statewide HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,309,169 to continue the HAVEN's Outreach to Rural Maine Initiative. This program provides tenant-based rental assistance to 56 households and short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance to 32 households. In addition, permanent housing placement services will be provided annually to 12 households. This project includes collaboration with Maine Medical Center, Positive Health Care Facility, and the Eastern Maine AIDS Network. A combination of supportive services will be provided through the mainstream community resources to compliment housing support. This support includes access to HIV/AIDS case management, volunteer assistance, life skills education training, and medical care.

The Frannie Peabody Center is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,432,653 to continue the HAVEN's Outreach to Racial and Ethnic Minorities Initiative. This program provides tenant-based rental assistance to 41 chronically homeless persons and families with HIV/AIDS living in the City of Portland, many of whom are immigrants and/or refugees. Portland is a designated refugee resettlement community and is home to people from over 30 ethnic backgrounds who speak over 40 different languages. Supportive services, including case management support that links clients to mainstream benefits and health care resources, will be provided annually to at least 110 households. These supportive services will address the cultural, language and economic barriers that pose obstacles to this vulnerable population in accessing housing, HIV care, and services. This renewal grant was formerly administered by the City of Portland, Maine. Frannie Peabody Center assumed grants management responsibility in 2011.

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.

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 125 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. This year HUD is making available $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 promote stable housing and reduced risks of homelessness for those living with HIV and other challenges.

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