HUD AWARDS $18.8 MILLION TO HELP PEOPLE & FAMILIES LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS
Grants will provide $1.7 million for permanent homes and supportive services in Metroplex

FT. WORTH, TX - More than a thousand low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS will find a
permanent home and get access to the services they need because of nearly $18.8 million in grants announced
today by Housing and Urban Development Assistant Deputy Secretary A. Jo Baylor. Congresswoman Kay Granger,
who has been a strong supporter of this initiative, joined Baylor to make the funding announcement after touring Samaritan House in Fort Worth, a HUD-assisted AIDS housing program that Rep. Granger helped to create.

Over the next three years, $1.7 million of the funding announced today will help persons with HIV/AIDS who live in Dallas and Tarrant County in households at a high risk for homelessness. Housing assistance and related services funded through HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program are a vital part of the comprehensive system of care for those living with HIV/AIDS.

"HOPWA provides housing support to some of the most vulnerable Americans," said Baylor. "We know that a stable home environment is critical for those managing complex drug therapies and the possible side effects from their treatments. The funding we announce today will make a real impact on a great many Texans living with HIV/AIDS."

Rep. Granger said, "As one of the founders of Fort Worth's Samaritan House, our intent was to provide housing and other essential needs to some of the most needy residents of Tarrant County-homeless or very poor citizens who
are living with HIV/AIDS. The Samaritan House has grown into a unique facility in Fort Worth's medical district that is accomplishing its goal by offering a broad range of integrated services. With this HOPWA renewal grant, Samaritan House will ensure that our most disadvantaged residents will continue to have a nurturing environment in which to
live and rebuild relationships with family and community."

In connection with the HUD funding announced today, these projects are using $1.5 million in other public and
private resources to carry out these projects and to help even more persons living with HIV/AIDS to find a stable home. The following Texas programs received funding today:

Tarrant County will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $916,010 to continue its Samaritan House project. Samaritan House is a unique community residence facility in Fort Worth's medical district, providing 43 single room occupancy units along with substance abuse recovery support for homeless and low-income men and women living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, Samaritan House provides tenant-based leasing assistance for 24 residents who are able to move into greater self-sufficiency and permanent housing arrangements. Participants benefit from a range of supportive services including chemical dependency counseling, meal services, transportation support, and
professional skill development. For information, contact Patricia Ward at (817) 350-7940.

The City of Dallas will receive a demonstration grant of $773,839 to provide housing placement and transitional housing to homeless persons and their families living with HIV/AIDS. The program is expected to serve 28 households transitioning to permanent housing each year. The city will provide these households with rental assistance and supportive services including job training, employment placement, and transportation support. City staff will
administer this program working in partnership with the Dallas HIV/AIDS Continuum of Care, Ryan White Planning Council/Consortium, and the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance. For information, contact Karen D. Rayzer at (214) 670-5711.

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. This year, HUD
is making available a total of nearly $19 million in HOPWA funds to help Texas communities provide housing for this special needs population.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with HIV/AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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