Hawai‘i Delegation Announces $2.8 Million to Support Housing Opportunities for Those Living with HIV/AIDS
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through its Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program, has awarded $2,831,809 in grants to support local programs that provide housing assistance and supportive services for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
“Programs like the Gregory House and the Maui AIDS Foundation are making a real difference for those living with HIV/AIDS,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. “This HOPWA grant will support these important local programs so they can continue to provide people with safe, stable housing and access to much-needed support services so that they can successfully transition to independent living.”
“While researchers continue their efforts to find a cure, people living with HIV/AIDS face multiple challenges,” said U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i). “Too often when people contract this devastating illness they not only struggle with their health but also keeping a job and stable housing. The federal resources we’re announcing today will help the Maui AIDS Foundation and Gregory House Programs continue providing our neighbors living with HIV/AIDS with the counseling, training, and housing stability they need.”
“This grant will provide critical housing assistance to individuals and families who are most in need,” said U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02). “All residents of Hawai‘i deserve to live with dignity, and this is a good step toward making sure that we do our best to live up to that promise.”
“It is crucial for family members to be able to support one another during times of illness, and unfortunately, it is often our low-income families that find themselves struggling the most,” said U.S. Representative Mark Takai (HI-01). “These funds will go a long way towards helping families in need secure housing and supportive services. Programs like the beneficiaries of these Housing and Urban Development grants provide critical services that their enrollees would otherwise not receive.”
The Maui AIDS Foundation will receive $1,441,159 to provide tenant-based rental assistance to 45 households. The Foundation also provides short-term rental assistance to prevent homelessness to 16 households; supportive services to 351 households; and housing information services for 458 households.
The Gregory House will receive $1,390,650 as part of a renewal grant to continue its tenant-based rental assistance program to 33 households, and transitional housing program to 11 households.
Over a three-year period, HUD’s HOPWA Program will make available $29,270,455 in grants for renewal projects and activities that provide housing assistance, coordinated supportive services such as job readiness and employment training, and case management to 1195 households across the United States annually.
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