Funding supports stable housing for individuals and families at risk for homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 25, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $29 million in grants to assist more than 1,200 extremely low-income persons and families living with HIV/AIDS annually. This funding will provide these households with a stable living environment, which is essential to accessing healthcare and HIV related services. In addition to housing assistance, these local programs will provide access to the needed supportive services such as life skills, job readiness services and employment training.
The funding announced today is offered through HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA) and will renew HUD’s support of 26 local programs in 18 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands (see attached chart and individual project descriptions below).
“These grants will give our local partners a vital resource to keep low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS healthy,” said Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Having a place to call home can make all the difference to someone who might otherwise be homeless or on the brink of homelessness.”
The HOPWA program is both a formula entitlement program and a competitive grant program. 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 137 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. Overall, these resources assist over 60,000 households annually to provide stable housing and reduced risks of homelessness for those living with HIV and other challenges. Ten percent of HOPWA funds are set aside to fund competitively awarded grants.
This year, HUD continues a policy the Department enacted in last year’s competition – encouraging communities to integrate local coordination and planning with local Continuum of Care (CoC) activities. Each of the 26 applicants have committed to coordinating with local CoCs within their primary service area in supporting local HIV/AIDS housing and service needs. This enhanced coordination effort is envisioned to promote integrated and comprehensive approaches to addressing the supportive housing needs of these special needs populations.
Many of the projects receiving renewed funding provide for specialized models in outreach and service delivery, including efforts that target help to persons who have been homeless or are at extreme risk of becoming homeless. The awarded programs are designed to increase coordination with the homeless assistance grant programs as well as other federal resources provided at the local level. These grants offer innovations in HIV care to increase job readiness and employment opportunities for persons in stabilized care.
The grants announced today also support the Obama Administration’s Opening Doors, strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, and National HIV AIDS Strategy/ HIV Care Continuum, which identifies housing as a key component to reducing viral transmission.
In addressing goals under these strategies, HUD will contribute a variety of housing resources to promote better integration of housing interventions into comprehensive HIV care systems. 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 vital for these households to access consistent medical care and maintain their health. Furthermore, secure housing can be a platform for improved quality of life.
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HOPWA 2014 Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal Grants
FY2014 HOPWA Renewal Grant Summaries
Alaska
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $956,642 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 program serves individuals and families in rural, hard-to-reach locations and continues its partnership with Interior AIDS Assistance and the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association. This collaborative effort will annually provide tenant-based rental assistance to 10 households, short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to 25 households, and supportive services to 50 households. For more information contact: Christie Wilckeck, Planning Development Officer, 4300 Boniface Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99510. Phone: (907) 330-8270, Email: ">
Alabama
AIDS Alabama, Inc. is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $978,286 to continue providing 14 households with permanent supportive housing. AIDS Alabama targets homeless and chronically homeless individuals and families who are linked to medical care, case management, psychiatric assessment/treatment, social services, transportation, and basic living skills training. An estimated 100 households will receive these wrap around supportive services in order to promote housing stability. AIDS Alabama has collaborative partnerships with an extensive network of homeless service providers. The program utilizes the Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) in coordination with local continuum of care organizations.
For more information contact: Mitch Tarver, Administrative Director of Programs, 3521 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222. Phone: (205) 786-0586, Email: ">
Health Services Center, Inc. is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $926,965 to continue providing 11 households with facility-based permanent supportive housing. In addition, 25 households will receive short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance, and 90 households will benefit from the provision of coordinated supportive services. The program has a particular focus on homelessness prevention while this housing model includes housing case management and the development of individualized housing plans. Program participants are provided with employment training, counseling, and transportation assistance in coordination with local resources in order to promote and sustain housing stability. The program specifically targets homeless persons, including chronically homeless and families with children.
For more information contact: Torina Satcher, Director of Housing and Homeless Services, 608 Martin Luther King Drive, Anniston, AL 36202. Phone: (256) 473-3786, Email: ">
Arizona
Housing Authority of Cochise County is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $655,584. This collaborative effort of housing and supportive services will annually provide tenant-based rental assistance to 20 households, short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to 10 households, housing information services to 60 households, and comprehensive supportive services and case management to 30 households. The Housing Authority has assembled a multidisciplinary team of partners to provide a variety of supportive services in coordination with local 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: Morgen Whitney, Outreach Coordinator, 1415 Melody Lane, Bisbee, AZ 85603, Phone: (520) 432-8889, Email: ">
Colorado
Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $653,579 to continue operating its facility-based 14 single-room occupancy (SRO) units in Denver. Program participants are supported with an array of services including: group and individual counseling, mental health and substance abuse treatment, transportation assistance, nutritional services support, HIV education, and other important services. Supportive services are delivered in collaboration with the Colorado AIDS project.
For more information contact: Tracy Osborn, Grants Administrator, 2926 Zuni Street, Denver, CO 80211. Phone: (720) 944-1643, Email: ">
Idaho
Idaho Housing and Finance Association is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,390,268 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 will annually provide tenant-based rental assistance to 96 households, and short-term, mortgage, rental and utility assistance to 35 households. In addition to direct housing assistance, an array of supportive services will assist 170 households annually, including case management, health and mental health referrals. To assist clients across the state in meeting their housing and related health care needs, this project partners with the following organizations: North Idaho AIDS Coalition, Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, Sojourner’s Alliance, Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, South Central District Health Department, Southeastern District Health Department, and the Eastern Idaho Public Health District Department.
For more information contact: Sheri Cook, Special Needs Team Leader, 565 W. Myrtle Street, Boise, ID 83707. Phone: (208) 331-4754, Email: ">
Illinois
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Re-entry Housing for Health Partnership, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,419,482 to continue providing scattered-site tenant-based rental assistance to 33 post-incarcerated individuals annually. The project is a partnership with the Christian Community Health Center, Heartland Human Care Services, Housing Opportunities for Women Inc., and The Center for Housing and Health, in the provision of coordinated supportive services to ensure that clients have successful housing outcomes.
For more information contact: Andrea Dakin, Director of Program Development, 200 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: (312) 922-2322, Email: ">
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago Housing for Health project, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,423,774 to continue providing supportive housing to persons living with HIV/AIDS in Chicago. The program is designed to improve the health outcomes of those living with HIV/AIDS through the effective coordination of health care with the delivery of housing assistance. Tenant-based rental assistance will be provided to 33 households annually. The program will support project-dedicated case managers at each housing agency with the goal of providing intensive, highly individualized case management that will link these households with a comprehensive array of supportive services. This collaboration includes the following organizations: Housing Opportunities for Women, Vital Bridges, Christian Community Health Center, Heartland Human Care Services, and The Center for Housing and Health.
For more information contact: Andrea Dakin, Director of Program Development, 200 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: (312) 922-2322, Email: ">
Kentucky
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Community Development, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,437,920 to continue operation of its supportive housing program in partnership with AIDS Volunteers, Inc. This program provides housing assistance, supportive services, housing information services, and permanent housing placement for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Central and Eastern Kentucky who are homeless, imminently homeless, or precariously housed. The program consists of two components: a housing facility that assists 12 households annually and six scattered site tenant-based rental assistance units. Wrap around supportive services including case management, nutritional services, transportation to medical appointments, and life skills education will be provided to 300 households annually. For more information contact: Cyndra Brown, Acting Grants Manager, 200 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507. Phone: (859) 258-3079, Email: ">
Maryland
AIDS Interfaith Residential Services, Inc. (AIRS) is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,380,200 to continue its permanent housing program in the City of Baltimore targeted to serve low-income, limited English proficiency, underserved populations living with HIV/AIDS. The program will provide tenant-based rental assistance to 20 households annually, in addition to a range of supportive services which includes bi-lingual case management, medical liaison, housing readiness training, access to educational opportunities, employment counseling, and job training. Referrals come through community partnerships with local public and private health care organizations and institutions.
For more information contact: F.T. Burden, Executive Director, 1800 N. Charles Street Suite 700, Baltimore, MD 21201. Phone: (410) 576-5070 (ext. 13), Email: ">
City of Baltimore, Office of Human Services, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,424,500 to continue operating its “At the Door Project.” This program increases self-determination of post-incarcerated individuals by providing housing referrals and supportive services to transition ex-offenders who are homeless into successful community re-entry. The program provides rental assistance, counseling, case management, substance abuse treatment, mentoring, and job training to 31 households annually
For more information contact: Ms. D’Andra Pollard, Program Administrator, 7 E. Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Phone: (410) 396-4887, Email: ">D’
Minnesota
Salvation Army is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $483,771 to continue providing facility-based supportive housing to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. This comprehensive housing and case management program supports families with children and individuals with multiple barriers and needs, including homelessness, through eight three-bedroom units for families with children, and six efficiency units for individuals. Program participants receive supportive services including: case management, mental health services, and substance abuse counseling, to sustain housing stability.
For more information contact: Robert Thomson, Divisional Commander, 2445 Prior Avenue, Roseville, MN 55113. Phone: (651) 746-3564, Email: ">
Clare Housing is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $420,906 to continue providing 32 units of facility-based housing along with the provision of coordinated supportive services. Permanent supportive housing is provided to very low-income individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness or are at significant risk of homelessness.
For more information contact: Michele Boyer, Director of Programs, 929 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Phone: (612) 236-9515, Email: ">
Mississippi
Grace House is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,221,580 to continue providing scattered-site tenant-based rental assistance and facility-based housing to chronically homeless individuals living HIV/AIDS within the Jackson metro area. Annually, the program will provide tenant-based rental assistance to 10 homeless individuals, in addition to the provision of coordinated linkages with related housing information and supportive services to 200 individuals. The program also includes 5 units of transitional and 2 units of permanent facility-based housing along with the provision of on-site supportive services, such as individual and group counseling, rehabilitative services, and medical support.
For more information contact: Stacey Howard, Director of Programing, 236 Millsaps Avenue, Jackson, MS 39202. Phone: (601) 720-5310, Email: ">
Montana
State of Montana, Department of Public Health and Human Services, in partnership with the states of North Dakota and South Dakota, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,474,000. This program is an innovative collaboration that supports the housing and supportive services needs of eligible individuals living in predominately rural areas across a three state region. Annually, 52 households will receive tenant-based rental assistance, 37 households with short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to prevent homelessness, and 113 households with comprehensive supportive services including: health/mental health assessment, day care, nutritional services, drug/alcohol abuse treatment, and counseling, as well as other needed services. The program will also support 10 households with permanent housing placement assistance each year in Montana and South Dakota. This collaborative partnership includes the following organizations: Missoula AIDS Council, Yellowstone AIDS Project, the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission, and Community Action Region VII.
For more information contact: Marcia Lemon, Energy and Community Services Manager, 1400 Carter Drive, Helena, MT 59601. Phone: (406) 447-4276, Email: ">
New Hampshire
Harbor Homes, Inc., is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $541,656 to continue providing housing assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS in Hillsborough County (with the exception of the city of Manchester). The program includes a collaborative partnership with the Southern New Hampshire HIV/AIDS Task Force to provide program participants with housing case management, counseling support, and auxiliary services to sustain housing stability. The program will serve 40 households annually with short-term, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance, along with coordinated supportive services.
For more information contact: Wendy LeBlanc, VP of Southern NH/AIDS Task Force, 45 High Street, Nashua, NH 03060. Phone: (603) 595-8464 (ext. 15), Email: ">
State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,003,767 to continue providing permanent housing for individuals and their families living with HIV/AIDS who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to declining health. This program stabilizes participants’ current housing situations, and whenever possible, seeks to ensure that they continue to remain in their own residence. Annually, short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance will be provided to 84 households and tenant-based rental assistance to 15 households. In addition, supportive services will be provided to 200 households annually, including: case management, substance abuse counseling, and mental health services. This collaborative partnership includes the following organizations: Merrimack Valley Assistance Program, AIDS Response to the Seacoast, AIDS Services of the Monadnock Region, and AIDS Community Resource Network.
For more information contact: Maureen Ryan, Bureau Administrator, 129 Pleasant St., Merrimack, NH 03301. Phone: (603) 271-9197, Email: ">
City of Nashua, Division of Public Health and Community Services, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant in the amount of $1,430,000 to continue providing tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services for up to 31 chronically homeless households living with HIV/AIDS. The program also includes the provision of permanent housing placement and supportive services including case management, transportation, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and food vouchers to ensure housing stability. The city will continue to work in partnership with Harbor Homes Inc. and the Southern New Hampshire HIV/AIDS Task Force. For more information contact: Robert Mack, Welfare Officer, 229 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060 Phone: (603) 589-4555, Email: ">
New York
Greyston Health Services is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,397,518 to continue providing facility-based housing assistance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Yonkers. The program provides supportive housing through its 35-unit permanent housing facility that targets single adults with mental illness and chemical dependencies. Annually, 75 households will receive access to comprehensive case management and coordinated health and psychosocial services. The program collaborates with local community providers to provide clients access to dental care, legal services, workforce development, and vocational/educational services.
For more information contact: James Rather, Grants Manager, 21 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703 Phone: (914) 376-3900 (ext. 263), Email: ">
Bailey House, Inc. is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,366,694 to continue providing permanent housing and supportive services to homeless or marginally housed youth living with HIV/AIDS in the Bronx. The program leases 15 scattered site units for young adults aged 18-24, including those aging out of foster care with a history of or current substance abuse and mental illness issues. In combination with leveraged community resources, up to 24 households annually will receive supportive services such as mental health, substance abuse counseling, and vocational/educational life skills to promote independent living.
For more information contact: Andrea Calabrese, Director, Scattered Site Supportive Housing, 7251 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10035. Phone: (212) 633-2500, Email: ">
Tennessee
Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,149,864. The program will provide annually 55 households with tenant-based rental assistance along supportive services consisting of case management, benefits counseling, and educational opportunities. An additional 16 households will benefit from housing information and permanent housing placement to locate and secure permanent housing.
For more information contact: Sharon C. Hayes, Grants Manager, 906 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37660. Phone: (423) 392-2594, Email: ">
Texas
Tarrant County, Community Development Division, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $993,216 to continue operating its facility-based housing and tenant-based rental assistance programs. The programs link participants to supportive services including case management, chemical dependency counseling, and professional skills development. The program will annually support operating costs for 60 single-room occupancy (SRO) units, tenant-based rental assistance to 22 households, in addition to serving 75 households with coordinated supportive services.
For more information contact: Patricia Ward, Director, 1509 B South University Drive, Suite 276, Fort Worth, TX 76107. Phone: (817) 850-7940, Email: ">
U.S. Virgin Islands
Methodist Training & Outreach Center, Inc. is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,474,000 to continue providing a continuum of housing assistance ranging from emergency to permanent housing, for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program represents a unique partnership between community-based, faith-based, and governmental agencies. This program targets a number of populations including chronically homeless and rural and minority populations with varying housing needs. Annually, the program will support 20 master-leased units, short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to 28 households, in addition to comprehensive supportive services and case management to 48 households.
For more information contact: Marilyn David, HOPWA Program Manager,4-A Kronprindsens Gade, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00803. Phone: (340) 714-7782, Email: ">
Vermont
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant for $1,473,017 to continue a statewide HIV/AIDS housing and supportive services program. This innovative program provides long-term rental assistance, short-term emergency housing assistance, including the provision of supportive services and case management through regional AIDS service organizations. The program integrates housing, health care, and a range of supportive services into a single statewide delivery system. This project will support 30 individuals annually with tenant-based rental assistance and 107 households with short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance. Additionally, 265 individuals will receive supportive services annually. This collaborative partnership includes the following organizations: Vermont Committee for AIDS Resources, Education and Services, AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, Vermont State Housing Authority, and HIV/HCV Resource Center.
For more information contact: Willa Davidian, Federal Housing Programs Director, 58 East State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. Phone: (802) 828-5061, Email: ">
Washington
Washington State Department of Commerce is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,342,803 to continue its housing and service assistance activities in the Spokane area. This program which serves 20 counties in eastern and central Washington meets the unmet long and short-term housing and supportive service needs of low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS. This project is designed to maximize independent living, quality of life, and access to care through the provision of tenant-based rental assistance to 50 households, short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to 40 households, and supportive services to 78 households. Comprehensive supportive services include case management, counseling, and transportation assistance to sustain housing stability. The State works in collaboration with five organizations: Yakima Neighborhood Health, Benton Franklin Community Action Committee, Okanogan County Community Action Council, Spokane Housing Authority, and Coalition of Responsible Disabled.
For more information contact: Mollie Gaspar, Program Manager, 1011 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone: (360) 725-2943, Email: ">
Wyoming
State of Wyoming, Department of Health, is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $646,756 to continue delivering statewide housing assistance for low-income persons and their families living with HIV/AIDS to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability. Annually, 15 households will receive tenant-based rental assistance, 15 households will receive short-term rent, mortgage, and utility payments, and 110 households will receive access to an array of supportive services to increase quality of life.
For information contact: Ms. Debi Anderson, HIV Services Program manager, 6101 Yellowstone Road, Suite 510, Cheyenne, WY 82002. Phone: (307) 777-5856, Email: ">
Contact:
April A. Brown
(202) 708-0685
