Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA) is a federally funded program providing housing assistance and supportive services for low-income people with HIV/AIDS and related diseases, and their families.  People with AIDS and other HIV-related illnesses often face challenges in meeting personal, medical and housing costs during their illness. 

 

 

HOPWA funds can be used for an array of housing, rental assistance, supportive services and program planning and development costs.  Activities can include the acquisition, rehabilitation or new construction of community residences and SRO units; costs for the operation and maintenance of facilities and community residences; rental assistance; short-term payments to prevent homelessness and some supportive services.

 

Services are delivered through non-profit organizations in each of five regional AIDS Service Networks in the state. Service providers in each region collaborate in the choice of the organization that will be their lead agency.

 

 

The program is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is governed by the provisions of the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act (42 USC Sections 12901 to 12912) and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program rule (24 CFR Part 574 as amended).

 

The Department of Commerce calculates annual awards to each of the regions based on the surviving HIV/AIDS cases in each county as reported to the Washington State Department of Health. In FY 2008, $631,470 was distributed and 330 households were served.

 

Commerce does not provide funding to King and Snohomish counties because they receive their own grant directly from HUD. Skamania and Clark counties are included in the City of Portland, Oregon’s HOPWA grant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information, e-mail Mollie Gaspar or call 360-725-2943.