HOPWA

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) is a federally funded Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program. The program’s objective is to provide housing needs and support services for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families regardless of age, culture, creed, familial status, gender, language, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. It is the only federal program dedicated to addressing the housing needs of low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Services provided are based on each eligible household's needs to improve housing stability, their access to healthcare, and supportive services.

Socially, HIV/AIDS is one of the most discriminatory and stigmatized health conditions globally. PLWHA faces many challenges to acquire/maintain stable housing, comprehensive healthcare, and treatment due to the stigma associated with the disease. Studies have reported that almost 70% of PLWHA face homelessness at some point during their lifetimes. Stable housing plays an important role in access to comprehensive healthcare, HIV prevention, and adherence to treatment. The HOPWA program focuses on providing stable housing to those experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless. The HOPWA program creates an environment that allows PLWHA to be able to maintain their HIV care and become virally suppressed.

Services

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) – TBRA provides ongoing rental subsidy that helps households obtain or maintain permanent housing in the private rental housing market until housing is attained through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) or other affordable housing programs. Under TBRA, each household’s monthly rent payment is calculated based on the household’s income.

Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance (STRMU) – STRMU provides short-term, rent, mortgage, and utility payments for households experiencing financial hardship related to their HIV health condition or a change in their economic circumstances. STRMU helps prevent homelessness by enabling households to remain in their own homes. The maximum assistance is twenty-one (21) weeks per calendar year.

Permanent Housing Placement (PHP) – PHP helps households access, secure, and establish a permanent residence, maintained either on their own or with the help of ongoing rental assistance. Eligible PHP housing assistance costs include, but are not limited to, application fees, first and last month’s rent, and reasonable utility and security deposits required for lease approval and occupancy.

Housing Case Management – Housing Case Management plays a vital role in HOPWA Supportive Services and can contribute to successful program outcomes for housing stability and access to care. This service centers around matters related to housing issues, stability, and goals. The household’s assessment determines the level of housing case management provided.

Housing Information Services – Housing Information Services include, but are not limited to, counseling, information, and referral services to assist households with locating, acquiring, financing, and maintaining housing.

Program Benefits

Housing Stability
Access to medical care
Housing affordability

Who Qualifies

To be eligible for HOPWA services, the individual must be:

HIV positive
Low-income (income can not exceed 80% of the Area median Income (AMI)
Homeless or at risk of being homeless