CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced a $1.4 million grant to assist extremely low-income persons and families living with HIV/AIDS in Wisconsin. The grant, awarded to Aids Resource Center of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, will provide these households with a stable living environment, which is essential to accessing healthcare and HIV related services. In addition, these grant programs provide access to the needed supportive services in assisting beneficiaries with a path to self-sufficiently 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 and will renew HUD’s support of 30 local programs in 20 states.
“These grants will provide our local partners with crucial funding that is necessary to provide individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS a place to call home,” said Secretary Shaun Donovan. “The comfort of knowing that you have a roof over your head makes a huge difference in the wellbeing of families and gives hope to those who might otherwise end up living on the streets.”
“Having access to affordable housing removes the paralyzing worry about homelessness and enables those confronting this disease to concentrate on their health”, said Antonio R. Riley, HUD’s midwest regional administrator.
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin is awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,369,420 million to continue providing 92 dually diagnosed and/or mentally ill individuals and their families with Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and supportive services throughout the State of Wisconsin. The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin will continue to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services in delivery of supportive services.
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, that identifies Housing as a key component to preventing the spread of HIV.
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 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 138 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.
