HUD AWARDS $1.4 MILLION TO HIV/AIDS HOUSING PROGRAMS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Funding supports stable housing for individuals and families at extreme risk for homelessness

MANCHESTER - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $1,467,357 to two grantees of HIV/AIDS housing programs in New Hampshire. This supportive housing grant will offer critically needed housing and support services to extremely low-income persons living with HIV/AIDs. During each of the next three years, this HUD funding will help provide permanent supportive housing so they can manage their illnesses while receiving critically needed support services.

The funding announced today is offered through HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA) and will renew HUD's support of these previously funded projects in New Hampshire (see project description below).

"These grants are a vital source of support to the local programs that are on the ground working to keep families healthy," said New England Regional Administrator Barbara Fields. "Knowing that you have a place to call home can make all the difference to the wellbeing of families living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom have been on the brink of homelessness."

These projects have estimated that about 40 percent of the households to be assisted will involve persons who have been homeless. The grants announced today also support the Obama Administration's new strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, an unprecedented initiative announced last June at the White House. In February 2011, HUD released its plan to guide the agency's actions under the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. As the nation's housing
agency, 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 124 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. HUD is making available a record $334 million inHOPWA funds this year to help communities provide housing for this special needs population. Overall, these resources assist 60,669 households annually to promote stable housing and reduced risks of homelessness for those living with HIV and other challenges.

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HOPWA FY2011 Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal Grant Summaries

New Hampshire

Harbor Homes, Inc., is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $500,457 to continue providing housing assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS in Hillsborough County (with the exception of the city
of Manchester). The program includes a collaborative partnership with the Southern New Hampshire HIV/AIDS Task Force to provide program participants with housing case management, counseling support, and auxiliary services to sustain housing stability. The program will serve 40 households annually with short-term, mortgage, rent and utility assistance along with coordinated supportive services.

For more information contact:
Cynthia Andreola, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Harbor Homes, Inc., 45 High Street, Nashua, NH 03060
Phone: (603) 882-3616
Email: c.andreola@nhpartnership.org

The State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $966,900 to continue providing permanent housing for individuals and their families living with HIV/AIDS who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to declining health. This program stabilizes participants' current housing situations and, whenever possible, seeks to ensure that they continue to remain in their own residence. Annually, short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance will be provided to 84 households and tenant-based rental assistance to 15 households. In addition, supportive services will be provided to 200 households annually, including case management, substance abuse counseling, and mental health services. This collaborative partnership includes the following organizations: Merrimack Valley Assistance Program, AIDS Response
to the Seacoast, AIDS Services of the Monadnock Region, and AIDS Community Resource Network.

For more information contact:
Mr. Bernie Bluhm, Program Planning and Review Specialist, State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health, 105 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-8388
Email: bbluhm@dhhs.state.nh.us.