Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

The national Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of HIV/AIDS Housing. HOPWA funds are awarded as grants through the HOPWA Formula Program using a statutory method to allocate funds to eligible states and cities, the HOPWA Competitive Program which selects model projects or programs, and HOPWA National Technical Assistance for funds to strengthen the management, operation, and capacity of grantees, sponsors, and applicants. HOPWA grantees and their partner area nonprofit organizations provide housing assistance and related supported services including the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of housing units, rental assistance, and short-term payments to prevent homelessness. Supportive services include funding for health and mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, nutritional services, case management, and assistance with daily living.

The goal of the HOPWA program is to help families pay housing expenses so that they are not displaced due to costs and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.

In fiscal year 2009 $310 million will be allocated by the national HOPWA program, aiming to reach 71,500 households. Of that, a total of $276 million will be distributed to 131 grantees (90 metropolitan areas and 41 states) through the HOPWA Formula Program. Every year 20 HOPWA projects rated highest receive Competitive Program grants, providing housing and services to more than 3,800 low income people with HIV/AIDS and their families.