HUD AWARDS $1.3 MILLION TO SANTA FE FOR HIV-AIDS HOUSING PROGRAMS
Funding supports stable housing for individuals and families at extreme risk for homelessness

ALBUQUERQUE - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a $1,324,438 grant to the Santa Fe Community Trust to assist extremely low-income persons and families living with HIV/AIDS. The grant will provide these households with a stable living environment, which is essential to accessing healthcare and HIV-related services. In addition, these funds will provide needed support services such as life skills, job readiness services 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 30 local programs in 20 States.

"These grants will provide our local partners with crucial funding that is necessary to provide individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS a place to call home," said Region VI Acting Regional Administrator Mark Brezina. "The comfort of knowing that you have a roof over your head makes a huge difference in the wellbeing of families and gives hope to those who might otherwise end up living on the streets."

The Santa Fe Community Housing Trust will use its $1,324,438 HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant to continue to provide a unique rental and homeownership program model that enables 24 households to receive rental assistance and contribute towards a down payment on a home purchase. The Trust will continue to partner with local providers to serve 69 households throughout New Mexico with supportive services. Contact Joyce Arellano, Program Manager, The Santa Fe Community Housing Trust, P.O. Box 713, Santa Fe, NM 87504-0713. Phone: (505) 989-3960, and email JArellano@housingtrustonline.org.

Many of the projects receiving renewal funding provide for specialized models in outreach and service delivery, including efforts that target help to persons who have been homeless or are at extreme risk of becoming homeless. The programs are designed to increase coordination with the homeless assistance grant programs as well as other federal resources provided at the local level

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

###

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on Twitter at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.