HUD Awards More Than $900,000 to Provide Housing for People with AIDS/HIV in Alaska

Funding renews support for stable housing for individuals and families at risk for homelessness

Anchorage, AK – April 27, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $915,440 to renew support for a statewide HIV-AIDS housing program administered by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

The three-year renewal funding is provided under HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA) program. These supportive housing grants continue critically needed housing and support services to extremely low-income persons living with HIV/AIDs. During each of the next three years, this HUD funding will help provide permanent supportive housing so they can manage their illnesses while receiving critically needed support services.

“These grants are a vital source of support to the local programs that are on the ground working to keep families healthy,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Knowing that you have a place to call home can make all the difference to the wellbeing of families living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom have been on the brink of homelessness.”

“Life on the streets is harder for anyone and even harder for those with HIV/AIDS,” said Mary McBride, HUD’s Northwest Regional Administrator. “These critical funds enable the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to provide decent and safe housing to some of the most vulnerable Americans. It’s good for their health and for the well-being of our society.”

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation will use its HOPWA renewal funds 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. It expects to annually provide tenant-based rental assistance to 10 households, short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance to 25 households, and supportive services to 45 households.

These projects have estimated that about 40 percent of the households to be assisted will involve persons who have been homeless. The grants announced today also support the Obama Administration’s new strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, an unprecedented initiative announced last June at the White House. In February 2011, HUD released its plan to guide the agency’s actions under the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. As the nation’s housing agency, 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 also vital for these households in allowing them to access consistent medical care and maintain their health. Furthermore, secure housing can be a platform for improved quality of life.

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 124 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources. HUD is making available a record $334 million in HOPWA funds this year to help communities provide housing for this special needs population. Overall, these resources assist 60,669 households annually to promote stable housing and reduced risks of homelessness for those living with HIV and other challenges.

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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.