The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded nearly $9 million to provide tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services to an estimated 218 households where one or more members are living with HIV/AIDS.
The funds were awarded through HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program, the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Under the HOPWA Program, HUD makes grants to local communities, states, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. HUD will announce additional HOPWA awards in the coming weeks. Click here for the list of today’s awards.
“Access to affordable housing and inclusive, non-discriminatory supportive services is critical to achieving stability and optimal health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “This funding will provide grantees and their partners the opportunity to make a real impact in their communities.”
HOPWA grants are a part of HUD’s mission to providing access to high-quality and culturally competent services, including housing and supportive services that are non-stigmatizing, non-discriminatory, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Housing instability has been a major issue facing many persons living with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. These grants support HUD’s role in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy; the strategy sets overarching goal to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030.
Approximately half of all persons living with HIV in the U.S. will experience homelessness or housing instability at some point following their diagnosis. Economic disadvantages, episodes of poor health, and co-occurring health diagnoses make it difficult for many persons living with HIV to secure or maintain housing. Additionally, HIV/AIDS-related stigma, discrimination and systemic racism contribute to differences in access to housing and lead to ongoing disparities among racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ communities.