HUD ANNOUNCES OVER $2 MILLION TO SUPPORT HOUSING AND SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS AND FAMILIES WITH HIV/AIDS IN WASHINGTON
Downtown Emergency Services Center and Housing Resources Group of Seattle Win Grants

SEATTLE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced grants totaling $2,091,415 to two Seattle organizations to provide three years of permanent supportive housing to persons living with HIV/AIDS.

The Downtown Emergency Service Center will receive $787,112 to continue providing 20 facility-based units of supportive housing for low-income and disabled persons living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, contact Susan Walsh at (206) 515-1520.

The Housing Resources Group, a non-profit organization in Seattle, is awarded a new HOPWA Special Project of National Significance grant of $1,304,303 to develop 18 units of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless persons living with HIV/AIDS who face multiple challenges from mental illness and substance abuse issues. For more information, contact Sarah Lewontin at (206) 623-0506.

The funding is part of $27.5 million in grants announced nationally through HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program. HUD grants will support 26 programs in 15 states to provide their clients with three years of permanent supportive housing. For details go to HUD's website.

"These grants offer a stable home and critically needed services to persons living with this disease so they can devote themselves to staying healthy," said HUD Secretary Jackson. "HUD is not only helping to provide homes and help, but we're offering hope to thousands of families at risk of living on our streets."

HUD is providing nearly $16.5 million to 16 existing projects and nearly $11 million to support 10 new HIV/AIDS
housing programs. These projects indicate they will assist 1,088 households. Combined, these HUD-supported programs will stimulate another $51.6 million from other public and private sources to continue assisting their
clients, representing $1.87 for every HOPWA dollar awarded.

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 AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and 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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