HUD ANNOUNCES OVER $32 MILLION IN HIV/AIDS HOUSING AID TO HELP
31 AIDS PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE
Two Oregon programs receive over $2 million in grants

WASHINGTON - More than 2,200 persons who are living with HIV/AIDS and at high risk for homelessness will find
a stable home and receive the services they need because of $32.1 million in funding awarded today by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Alphonso Jackson. HUD grants will help 31 programs in 21 states to provide their clients with three years of permanent supportive housing.

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."

HUD is providing $27.3 million to 27 existing projects and more than $4.8 million to support four new HIV/AIDS
housing programs. These projects indicate they will assist approximately 2,200 households. Combined, these HUD-supported programs will leverage an additional $41.8 million from other public and private sources to provide related services in assisting their clients, representing $1.28 for every HOPWA dollar awarded.

Our House of Portland is awarded a HOPWA renewal grant of $1,037,013 to continue a Neighborhood Housing and
Care program. The program will continue to partner with AIDS Housing of Washington, Cascade AIDS Project,
Cascadia Behavioral Health, and REACH Community Development, Inc. to deliver permanent supportive housing services.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), Oregon Housing and Behavioral Health Initiative (OHBHI) is
awarded a new HOPWA Special Project of National Significance grant of $1,223,181 to provide 44 units of Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and supportive services to persons living with HIV/AIDS and who have co-occurring mental illness. OHBHI will work with existing HOPWA programs in the area and partner with the Lane County HIV Alliance, Oregon Employment Department, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, and the Oregon DHS - People
with Disabilities Office in providing services.

"These two grants will bring important resources to people living with HIV/AIDS in Oregon" said HUD Portland Field Office Director Roberta Ando. "The new grant to the State of Oregon will bring substantial new funding to Oregon communities and the renewal grant to Our House in Portland will assist in the continuation of a very effective program."

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. 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.

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.

For a complete project summary of the funding announced today, visit HUD's website.

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