The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today gave out more than $27 million in awards to local programs nationally – including two to one New York City nonprofit – that provide housing services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
The funding is offered through HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA) and will renew HUD’s support of 31 local programs. These grants provide a combination of housing assistance and supportive services for this vulnerable population.
Of the total awarded, Bailey House in New York City was awarded more than $2 million. The organization received more than $1 million to continue their Project FIRST program, serving recently released/post incarcerated persons living with HIV/AIDS. This program provides them with permanent housing placement services, tenant-based rental assistance, and short term rental assistance to prevent homelessness.
The organization also received more than $1 million to continue providing permanent housing and supportive services to homeless or marginally housed youth living with HIV/AIDS in the Bronx. The program leases site units for young adults aged 18-24, including those aging out of foster care with a history of or current substance abuse and mental illness issues. They also receive supportive mental health services, substance abuse counseling, and vocational/educational life skills to promote independent living.
Founded by Reverend Mead Miner Bailey, Bailey House was the nation’s first HIV/AIDS supportive housing provider, beginning in 1983. According to their website, they were the first agency to publicly acknowledge and fund a program that addressed poverty and homelessness among people with AIDS, acting as advocates and working with multiple city administrations to help this vulnerable population.
Bailey House representatives did not return PoliticsNy inquires at post time.
HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge stated that the agency intends to continue supporting its local partners who assist people living with HIV/AIDS with getting the services they need, including housing and healthcare.
“Safe and stable housing can have a profound impact on one’s life,” Fudge said.
According to a report by the CDC, in 2018, African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos 13 years and older accounted for almost half of new HIV infections. The report also states that in 2018 Blacks/African Americans represented 41% of people with HIV in the country, while Hispanics/Latinos represented 23% of people with HIV.
Since 1992, HUD’s HOPWA Program has provided national leadership and resources that support the development and operation of high-quality supportive housing programs.
Under the HOPWA Program, HUD makes grants to cities, states, and nonprofit organizations to provide housing assistance and supportive services to low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
By providing assistance with housing and related services, the HOPWA program helps persons living with HIV/AIDS enter into housing, access and remain in medical care, and adhere to complex treatment regimens.
