SANTA FE RECEIVES $1.3 MILLION HIV/AIDS HOUSING GRANT FROM HUD

ALBUQUERQUE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the award of a $1,314,280 grant to the Santa Fe Community Housing Trust to offer critically needed housing and support services to extremely low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS. The funding announced today is offered through HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program and nationally, will renew support of four projects for a total of $4 million.

"At HUD, we recognize the profound effects that housing can have on the lives and livelihoods of people living with HIV/AIDS" said Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Working closely with our local partners, we can offer those individuals and families the security of having a roof over their heads."

The Santa Fe Community Housing Trust will use its HOPWA Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal Grant to continue providing tenant-based rental assistance to clients, with the clients' rent contributions set aside for the down payment on a home. By the end of the three year grant period, 24 households will be on the path to homeownership. The Trust will also continue to partner with local providers to serve 75 households throughout New Mexico with supportive services. For more information, contact Sharron Welsh at the Trust at (505) 989-3960.

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, allowing them to access this support and maintain such care in a consistent and effective manner.

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 121 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources.

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