SEATTLE'S HOUSING RESOURCES GROUP WINS ONE OF 29 HUD GRANTS NATIONWIDE TO CONTINUE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

WASHINGTON - The Housing Resources Group of Seattle has been awarded $714,766 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to continue to provide permanent housing very low income households living with HIV/AIDS. The grant was one of 29 awarded nationwide totaling $30.2 million.

The funding announced today is offered through HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program
(HOPWA). The Housing Resources Group in Seattle will use its grant to continue providing 18 units of facility-based housing and supportive services through their Kenyon House project. The program assists single adults who are chronically homeless and extremely low-income living with HIV/AIDS in King County. The program is a collaborative partnership with Sound Mental Health, Bailey Boushay Adult Day Health Center, and Building Changes.

"These programs are a critical source of support to local programs on the front lines of helping families stay
healthy," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "A stable home can make all the difference to the wellbeing of these families, many of whom have been homeless or at extreme risk of homelessness."

These projects have estimated that about 40% of the households to be assisted will involve persons who have been homeless. The grants announced today also support the Obama Administration's new strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, an unprecedented initiative announced last week at the White House.

Housing assistance and related services funded by HOPWA are an essential part of the comprehensive system of
care for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS. A stable home environment is also vital for these households in allowing them to access consistent medical care and maintain their health. Furthermore, secure housing can be a platform for improved quality of life.

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 123 local and
state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. Up eight
percent from last year, HUD is making available a record $335 million in HOPWA funds this year to help communities provide housing for this special needs population. Overall, these resources assist 58,367 households annually to promote stable housing and reduced risks of homelessness for those living with HIV and other challenges.

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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.