HUD ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION IN HIV/AIDS HOUSING AID TO NEW JERSEY
$32 Million Awarded Nationwide

NEWARK - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced $1,235,300 to the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services to assist people living with HIV/AIDS and who are at high risk for homelessness. The funding to New Jersey is part of more than $32 million in grants announced nationally that will be provided to 31 programs in 21 states. The assistance will help as many as 2,200 people find a stable home and receive supportive services. (Information about the New Jersey grant is attached.)

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

"Having a stable home can make all the difference in staying healthy and living with this disease," said Jackson. "These grants will help provide more than just homes to thousands of families with HIV/AIDS who might otherwise be facing homelessness."

In 2008, President Bush is seeking a record $300 million for HUD's HOPWA program, an increase of $14 million over current funding levels. These resources are expected to assist an estimated 70,500 households annually.

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 120 local and
state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. This year, HUD
is making available a total of $286.1 million in HOPWA funds to help communities provide housing for this special
needs population.

The following local project is being funded through HUD's HOPWA Program. For a complete project summary of the nationwide funding, visit HUD's website.

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) is awarded a HOPWA renewal grant of $1,235,300 to continue a reentry effort providing 39 post-incarcerated individuals and their families with tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services throughout the State of New Jersey. The project is a collaboration between
State agencies, including the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources and
the DHSS, Division of AIDS Prevention & Control in delivering the range of housing and support for HIV positive
persons to establish independent living arrangements. For information contact:

Carmine J. Grasso, Director
or Eddy Bresnitz, Deputy Commissioner
Care and Treatment Unit
New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services
50 East State Street, 3rd Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0363
(609) 984-6328
Email:Carmine.Grasso@doh.state.nj.us

For information on Federal AIDS programs, go to AIDS.GOV including links to HOPWA and other HUD programs. HUD's website for the HOPWA program is located at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/aidshousing/index.cfm or email HOPWA@hud.gov.

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