HUD AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AWARD $9.2 MILLION TO PROVIDE STABLE HOUSING TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

Joint Demonstration to enhance coordination between HIV Housing and Domestic Violence Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — To help prevent victims of domestic violence living with HIV/AIDS from falling into homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced more than $9 million to support eight local programs across the country working to protect and house these victims.

DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women and HUD’s Office of HIV/AIDS Housing collaborated to provide these grants under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program.  During today’s White House United State of Women Summit, the following grantees were announced:

Read a summary of each grantee.

HUD Secretary Julián Castro said, “Every person, especially those fighting the effects of HIV/AIDS or looking to escape an abusive situation, deserves to live in a safe and stable environment.  Through this collaborative effort with the Justice Department, we’re able to help those living at the intersection of HIV/AIDS and domestic violence to secure the housing and health services they need to build a better future.”

“This joint effort will help low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS who have survived domestic violence secure the vital services they need to reclaim their lives and restore their futures,” said Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch.  “The Justice Department is committed to safeguarding the rights and opportunities of all Americans, including the most vulnerable among us.  And in the days ahead, we will continue our work to ensure that every American – from every background – has the safety, security, and support that they deserve.”

Through this demonstration program, HUD will provide funding for housing assistance and supportive services to low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. Grantees are required to form partnerships between local HIV housing and service providers and domestic violence and sexual assault service providers for client outreach and engagement and for comprehensive supportive services to ensure client success in the program.  Descriptions of the funded projects can be found here.

This demonstration follows a recommendation by the Federal Interagency Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence against Women and Girls, and Gender–Related Health Disparities to enhance Federal efforts in addressing HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV) among homeless and marginally housed women and girls. While the Working Group focuses on women and girls, the housing assistance and supportive services provided through the demonstration will be open to all eligible clients regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or age.

Since 1992, the HUD’s HOPWA Program, managed by the Office of HIV/AIDS Housing, has provided national leadership and resources that support the development and operation of high-quality supportive housing programs. Under the HOPWA Program, HUD makes grants to cities, states, and nonprofit organizations to provide housing assistance and supportive services to low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. By providing assistance with housing and related services, the HOPWA program helps persons living with HIV/AIDS enter into housing, access and remain in medical care, and adhere to complex treatment regimens. More information on the HOPWA program is available at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hopwa/.

The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), headed by Principal Deputy Director Bea Hanson, provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence against women through the implementation of VAWA and subsequent legislation.  Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.  More information is available at www.justice.gov/ovw.

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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.

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April Tey Brown
(202) 708-0685
http://www.hud.gov/news/index.cfm