HUD AWARDS $19.3 MILLION IN HIV/AIDS HOUSING GRANTS TO 18 LOCAL PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE
Funding to renew critical lifeline for 1,100 persons at risk for homelessness

WASHINGTON - They are extremely low-income, living with HIV/AIDS and at high risk of homelessness. Today, more than 1,100 persons and their families will find a stable home, and receive the services they need to manage their illnesses, because of $19.3 million in grants awarded by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston.

The grants announced today are part of HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA) and will renew support to 18 local programs across the country and the U.S. Virgin Islands (see attached chart). 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, allowing them to access this support and maintain such care in a consistent and effective manner. For a summary of the local programs receiving HOPWA grants, visit HUD's website.

"These grants are quite literally a lifeline for those struggling to find a decent home while trying to manage complex drug therapies," said Preston. "Working closely with our local partners, we can offer these families the support they need to concentrate on staying healthy instead of worrying how they'll pay next month's rent."

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 record $300 million in HOPWA funds to help communities provide housing for this special needs population. These resources are expected to assist an estimated 67,000 households annually.

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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.

The following local projects are being funded through HUD's HOPWA Program. For a complete project summary of the funding announced today, visit HUD's website:

For information on Federal AIDS programs, go to AIDS.GOV including links to HOPWA and other HUD programs.

Summary of the 2008 HOPWA Renewal Grant Awards

ALASKA

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $915,440 to continue providing permanent housing, comprehensive case management, and short-term housing assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS in the northern interior and in southeast Alaska. The AHFC serves individuals and families in rural, hard-to-reach locations. The program will utilize its renewal funding to assist current program participants who are in need of additional support in order to maintain stable housing, as well to provide housing assistance to households who are not currently helped by AHFC. Over the next three years, the program will provide tenant-based rental assistance to 10 households annually; short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance to 25 households annually; and supportive services to 40 households annually. AHFC will continue to partner in this project with Interior AIDS Assistance and the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association. For more information contact: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, P.O. Box 101020, Anchorage, AK 99510. Mr. Dan Fauske, Executive Director/CEO, phone: (907) 330-6100, email: dfauske@ahfc.state.ak.us; or Ms. Kris Duncan, Planner, phone: (907) 330-8276, email: kduncan@ahfc.state.ak.us.

ARIZONA

Housing Authority of Cochise County will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $611,582 to continue operating its HOPWA Housing Assistance Program (HHAP). HHAP is a collaborative effort of housing and supportive service providers to deliver housing services to HIV/AIDS persons living in the colonias, particularly farm workers, as well as chronically homeless individuals and families in southeastern Arizona. The Housing Authority of Cochise County, as the project sponsor, will provide tenant-based rental assistance, housing information services, and short-term rent, mortgage, and utility payments for eligible families. Twenty-three households will be assisted annually through tenant-based rental assistance, and 15 households will be assisted annually through short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance. The Housing Authority has assembled a multidisciplinary team of partners to provide a variety of supportive services and to coordinate the services provided by Ryan White Care Act resources. These partners include the following: Cochise County Health Department; City of Douglas Housing Department; St. John's Episcopal Church; the Arizona Department of Health Services; Southwest Fair Housing Council; Impact Consultants; Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless; and Good Neighbor Alliance in Sierra Vista. For more information contact: Housing Authority of Cochise County, 1415 Melody Lane, Building A, Bisbee, AZ 85603. Mr. Michael Royer, Executive Director, phone: (520) 432-8883, email: mroyer@co.cochise.az.us; or Ms. Pattie Lewis, County Grants Administrator, phone: (520) 432-9214, email: plewis@co.cochise.az.us.

CALIFORNIA

City of Los Angeles Housing Department will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $1,430,000 to continue it's tenant-based rental assistance program, called "Connections." In partnership with its project sponsor, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), the city will continue providing 36 households with tenant-based rental assistance. The program is expected to provide tenant-based rental assistance to 90 other eligible households and is designed to work with the city's Section 8 program to transition HOPWA clients to Section 8 housing assistance. Other partners in the collaboration are the County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy; the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority; and Shelter Partnership, a nonprofit organization providing policy and planning services in the area of homelessness and affordable housing. For more information contact: City of Los Angeles Housing Department, 1200 West 7th Street, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Mr. Thanh Doan, HOPWA Program Co-Coordinator, phone: (213) 922-9661, email: tdoan@lahd.lacity.org; or Alan Chin, phone: (213) 808-8926, email: achin@lahd.lacity.org.

IDAHO

Idaho Housing and Finance Association will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $1,349,068 to continue a statewide permanent supportive housing program for persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. Working through a network of regional consortiums of project sponsors, the program annually will provide tenant-based rental assistance to 45 households, and short-term, mortgage, rental and utility assistance to 36 households. In addition to direct housing assistance, the Idaho Housing and Finance Association will also provide an array of supportive services to 84 households a year, including case management, health and mental health referrals. To assist clients across the state of Idaho with meeting their housing and related health care needs, the organization will continue working with the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority; Family Practice Residency; South Central District Health Department; Southeastern District Health Department; and District Seven Health Department. For more information contact: Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Community Development Services, 565 West Myrtle Street, Boise, ID 83702. Mr. Gerald Hunter, Executive Director, phone: (208) 331-4730, email: geraldh@ihfa.org; or Sheri Cook, Special Needs Grant Administrator, phone: (208) 331-4754, email: sheric@ihfa.org.

ILLINOIS

AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) will receive $1,384,995 to continue providing supportive housing to people living in Chicago with HIV/AIDS and their families. AFC is the lead agency for the Chicago Housing and Health Partnership (CHHP), a program combining citywide health care, respite and housing providers. Over the next three years, AFC will support individuals living with HIV/AIDS through 12 leased units annually, and will also provide tenant-based rental assistance to 21 households annually. HOPWA funding will additionally support project-dedicated case managers at each housing agency with the goal of providing intensive, highly individualized case management that will link clients to a comprehensive, holistic array of supportive services. AFC anticipates providing 33 households per year with these supportive services. In addition to AFC, CHHP is composed of the following organizations: Housing Opportunities for Women, Vital Bridges, Christian Community Health Center, and Heartland Human Care Services. For more information contact: AIDS Foundation of Chicago, 411 South Wells Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60607. Mr. Mark Ishaug, President/CEO, phone: (312) 922-2322, email: mishaug@aidschicago.org; or Ms. Angelique Miller, Director of Housing Partnerships, phone: (312) 334-0926, email: amiller@aidschicago.org.

Pioneer Civic Services, Inc. of Peoria will receive a HOPWA renewal grant for $402,281 to continue the Peoria Area AIDS Housing Options Program (PAAHOP). This project provides permanent housing in central Illinois to low-income, multiply diagnosed persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families through both tenant-based rental assistance and facility-based assistance. PAAHOP's clients are often emerging from difficult situations, including substance abuse, homelessness, domestic violence and mental illness. The program seeks to address the housing needs of this group by providing tenant-based rental assistance to 7 households annually and by providing 4 facility-based units annually to its clients. In addition, PAAHOP will provide supportive services to 11 households annually-such as intensive case management, access to mainstream services, employment skills training, and transportation-in order to help clients maintain housing stability. Pioneer Civic Services will continue to partner with the Heart of Illinois HIV/AIDS Center (HIHAC) at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine at Peoria. For more information contact: Pioneer Civic Services, 1318 Southwest Adams Street, Peoria, Illinois 61601. Mr. Sam Gibson, Executive Director, phone: (309) 674-2200, email: pioneercs@sbcglobal.net.

KENTUCKY

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Community Development will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $1,430,000 to continue the AIDS Volunteers, Inc. (AVOL) AIDS housing program. This program provides permanent and transitional housing services, as well as case management, for persons living with HIV/AIDS in Central and Eastern Kentucky. Activities are based at two housing facilities, Rainbow Apartments, a four apartment transitional housing facility, and Solomon House, a 30 person community residence for individuals who require more care to meet their medical needs. The program will annually serve 30 persons with HIV/AIDS through its housing facilities and supportive services, and an additional 125 individuals through housing information services. For more information contact: Division of Community Development, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, 200 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507. Ms. Irene Gooding, Grant Manager, phone: (859) 258-3070, email: ireneg@lfucg.com.

MARYLAND

City of Baltimore's Health Department (Homeless Services) will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $1,424,500 to continue operating its, "At the Door Program." The program is a continuation of assisting with the provision that clients meet their housing needs of various supportive services, including case management, pre-employment services, substance abuse counseling, and connections to other benefit programs. The program provides both permanent and short-term housing. Over the next three years, 24 households will be assisted annually with tenant-based rental assistance; and 15 households will be assisted annually with short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance. Fifteen households will also receive supportive services. The program partners with the City of Baltimore will partner with AIDS Interfaith Residential Services, Inc., as well as the Health Education Resource Organization, Inc. For more information contact: City of Baltimore Health Department, 210 Guilford Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202. Ms. Diana Glauber, President, phone: (410) 396-3757, email: diane.glauber@baltimorecity.gov.

MINNESOTA

Salvation Army will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $467,298 to continue providing 14 permanent supportive housing units for individuals and families with HIV/AIDS and other diagnoses. The project consists of two sites: HOPE Harbor, a 96-unit efficiency apartment with apartments designated for the HOPWA program; and Harvest Hills, a group of eight three-bedroom duplexes used for housing HOPWA families. In addition to housing assistance, the program will also continue to provide supportive services to 14 individuals a year, including case management, transportation, mental health services and substance abuse counseling. To help the program serve its clients, the Salvation Army partners with the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Departments; the Hennepin County Medical Center Positive Care Center; and the Health Partners Specialty Center. For more information contact: Salvation Army Harbor Lights, 2445 Prior Avenue, Roseville, MN 55113. Mr. Daniel Sjogren, Executive Director, phone (651) 746-3540, email: daniel_sjogren@usc.salvationarmy.org; or Ms. Louise Simons, Divisional Director of Social Services, phone: (651) 746-3540, email: louise_simons@usc.salvationarmy.org.

MONTANA

State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the states of North Dakota and South Dakota, will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $1,430,000 to continue operating the TRI-STATE Housing Environments for Living Positively (TS HELP). This program serves people living with HIV/AIDS and their families in these three states-North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana-through a continuum of housing and related supportive services. For each year of the grant period, TS HELP will provide tenant-based rental assistance to 72 households; short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to 43 households; and supportive services to 109 individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families. This program represents a partnership between the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services; the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission in South Dakota; Missoula AIDS Council in Montana; Yellowstone AIDS Project in Montana; Community Action Program in North Dakota; and Region VII in North Dakota. For more information contact: State of Montana, Department of Public Health and Human Services, 1400 Carter Drive, Helena, MT 59601. Mr. Jim Nolan, Bureau Chief of Intergovernmental Services Bureau, phone: (406) 447-4267, email: jnolan@.mt.gov; or Ms. Barb Watson, HOPWA Coordinator, phone: (406) 994-7517, email: bwatson@montana.edu.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Harbor Homes, Inc. of Nashua, New Hampshire will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $500,457 to continue providing housing assistance program to persons living with HIV/AIDS in Hillsborough County (with the exception of the city of Manchester). Harbor Homes will continue partnering with the Southern New Hampshire HIV/AIDS Task Force, an organization that provides clients with housing case management and counseling support and auxiliary services. The program gives preference to those who are homeless, in imminent danger of homelessness, and/or those with dual or multiple diagnoses. It is anticipated that the program will serve 50 households per year through its short-term, mortgage, rent and utility assistance, as well as supportive services, over the next three-year period. For more information contact: Harbor Homes, Inc., 45 High Street, Nashua, NH 03064. Mr. Peter Kelleher, Executive Director, phone (603) 882-3616, email: p.kelleher@harborhomes.org.

State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $966,900 to continue to provide affordable permanent housing for persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. The program will address the needs of persons who are homeless, low and very low income, and those at risk of displacement or becoming homeless due to the advancement of their disease. The Department of Health and Human Services' program stabilizes participants' current housing situations and, whenever possible, provides assistance for participants to remain in their own residences. With this goal, over the next three years the program will provide short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance to 85 households annually and will provide tenant-based rental assistance to 15 households annually. Along with housing support, the Department of Health and Human Services will continue to work with its sponsors to provide supportive services to 142 households annually, including transportation assistance, case management, substance abuse counseling and mental health services. Partners for this project include the following: Merrimack Valley Assistance Program (project sponsor), AIDS Response to the Seacoast, AIDS Services of the Monadnock Region, and AIDS Community Resource Network. The project serves the entire state of New Hampshire (outside of the City of Manchester and the Greater Nashua area). For more information contact: State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health, 105 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301. Mr. Bernie Bluhm, Program Planning and Review Specialist, phone: (603) 271-8388, email: bbluhm@dhhs.state.nh.us.

NEW YORK

Greyston Health Services (GHS) of Yonkers will receive a HOPWA renewal grant for $1,365,890 to continue its work providing a variety of housing assistance and supportive services for persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. GHS operates a 35-unit permanent housing facility, Issan House, and also partners with Maitri Adult Day Health Care Center. Together, GHS and Maitri will continue to provide facility-based housing and an assortment of supportive services to HOPWA clients, including case management, access to health care, mental health treatment, and therapies. Greyston Health Services will also to continue to provide the following services over the next three years: tenant-based rental assistance to 17 households; short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to 18 households; and supportive services to 75 households. For more information contact: Greyston Health Services, Inc., 21 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703. Mr. Steven Brown, President/CEO, phone: (914) 376-3692, email: sabrown@greyston.org; or Ms. Ellen Waldman, Manager of Government Grants, phone (914) 376-3900, email: ellenw@greyston.org.

TEXAS

Tarrant County will receive a HOPWA renewal grant for $950,966 to continue operating the Tarrant County Samaritan Housing program. The project sponsor for this grant uses its HOPWA funding to provide housing at its Samaritan House facility, as well as rental assistance for residents who have left the Samaritan House supportive housing facility and entered into a unit of their own. The program also links participants who are often recovering from substance abuse or addressing mental illnesses through its supportive services, including chemical dependency counseling, meal services and professional skills development. Over the next three years, Samaritan House will supply 60 units annually of facility-based housing, will provide tenant-based rental assistance to 26 households annually, and will support 75 households annually through supportive services. For more information contact: Tarrant County, 1509 B South University Drive, Suite 276, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Ms. Patricia Ward, Director, phone: (817) 850-7940, email: pward@tarrantcounty.com.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Virgin Islands Community AIDS Resource and Education (VICARE) will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $1,373,406 to continue providing a continuum of housing assistance ranging from emergency to permanent housing, for persons with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Along with its project sponsor, Methodist Training and Outreach Center, the program represents a unique partnership between community-based, faith-based, and governmental agencies. VICARE's HOPWA program targets a number of populations-including chronically homeless, rural and minority populations-with varying housing needs. Over the next three years, the program will support households through 20 master-leased units, and will support an additional 28 households through short-term rental assistance, utility grants. VICARE will also provide consumer education counseling and referrals to other supportive services to increase participants' independent living skills. For more information contact: Virgin Islands Community AIDS Resource and Education, P.O. Box 223235, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands, 00820-4854. Mr. Bruce Smail, Executive Director, phone: (340) 692-9111, email: bruce.smail@vicareinc.org.

VERMONT

Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) will receive a HOPWA renewal grant for $1,430,000 to continue a statewide HIV/AIDS housing and supportive services program. This program consists of three components providing long-term rental assistance and short-term emergency housing, developing HIV/AIDS designated affordable housing units, and supporting the delivery of basic supportive services by regional AIDS service organizations. This highly collaborative project integrates housing, health care, and a range of supportive services, into a single statewide delivery system. This project will support 40 individuals annually with tenant-based rental assistance and 171 households with short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance. Additionally, 259 persons with HIV/AIDS will receive supportive services each year. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board will partner in this project with a number of organizations: Vermont Committee for AIDS Resources, Education and Services; AIDS Project of Southern Vermont; IMANI Health Institute; and ACORN. For more information contact: Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, 149 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. Ms. Willa Darley Chapin, Federal Housing Programs Manager, phone: (802) 828-5061, email: willa@vhcb.org; or Mr. Gustave Seelig, Executive Director, phone: (802) 828-5061, email: gus@vhcb.org.

WASHINGTON

Spokane County Community Services Division (SCCS) of Spokane will receive a HOPWA renewal grant for $1,295,489 to continue the REACH Project (Regionally Assisted Collaborative Housing Project). This program, which serves 20 counties in eastern and central Washington, is designed to meet the unmet long and short-term housing and supportive service needs of low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS. SCCS works in collaboration with six partners in order to operate REACH: Care Bearers, Coalition of the Responsible Disabled, Housing Authority of the City of Kennewick, Northeast Washington Housing Solutions, Okanogan County Community Action Council, and Krimminger Consulting Services. The program will provide tenant-based rental assistance to 69 households; short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance to 28 households; and supportive services to 111 households. Supportive services include transportation, counseling, and child care to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. For more information contact: Spokane County Community Services Division, 312 West 8th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99210. Ms. Christine Barada, Director of Community Services, phone: (509) 477-5722, email: cbarada@spokanecounty.org.

WYOMING

State of Wyoming Department of Health will receive a HOPWA renewal grant of $626,178 to continue its statewide efforts to deliver housing assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Through this grant, the Wyoming Department of Health will serve 30 households annually with tenant-based rental assistance, and 20 households annually with short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance. The program will also work with the Wyoming AIDS project and other organizations to ensure that supportive services, such as case management, are delivered to HOPWA clients state-wide. For more information contact: Wyoming Department of Health, 6101 Yellowstone Road, Suite 510, Cheyenne, WY 82002. Mr. Brent Sherard, Director, phone: (307) 777-5856, email: brent.sherard@health.wyo.gov; or Ms. Debi Nelson, Housing and Supportive Services Manager, phone: (307) 777-5856, email: debi.nelson@health.wyo.gov.