The housing opportunities for persons with aids (hopwa) program was authorized through the aids housing opportunity act (42 USC CH. 131) and created to address the housing needs of low-income…

The Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development awarded the City of Santa Rosa $528,990 on September 19, 2025, under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program (CFDA 14.241).

The City of Santa Rosa will provide housing assistance and case management services to low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families through a sub-grant to Face to Face / The Sonoma County AIDS Network. Face to Face will operate the Face to Face Program, delivering case management for people living with HIV/AIDS who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, housing search assistance, short-term rental and utility assistance for homelessness prevention, housing placement assistance including application fees and security deposits, tenant-based rental assistance to reduce rent burden, and hotel/motel emergency shelter to support intensive case management and healthcare engagement. The period of performance runs from September 19, 2025, through September 18, 2028, with place of performance in Santa Rosa, California. This formula grant is contingent upon Santa Rosa's submission and approval by HUD of the jurisdiction's consolidated plan and annual action plan identifying eligible HOPWA activities to be implemented, as required under 24 CFR 574.300. HOPWA funding supports establishment of stable housing, reduction of homelessness risk, and improved access to healthcare and supportive services for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Activities

Hopwa formula awards are contingent upon the submission and approval by HUD of a jurisdiction's consolidated plan and annual action plan. Grantees must identify the eligible hopwa activities at 24 code of federal regulations (CFR) 574.300 that will be implemented with grant funding in the jurisdiction's consolidated plan and annual action plan. Housing assistance can be provided in the form of permanent housing which includes tenant-based (scattered site) and facility-based (subsidized payment on a specific building, unit, or project) rental assistance, or through transitional or short-term housing assistance.

Expected outcomes

Hopwa program activities focus on establishing stable housing, reducing risk of homelessness, and improving access to healthcare and supportive services. Hopwa formula grantees are required to submit annual performance reports on grant expenditures, activities undertaken, program accomplishments, and household outcomes related to housing stability; homelessness prevention, and access to care and support. Hopwa formula program grantees must annually submit reporting form HUD-4155: consolidated annual progress report and consolidated annual performance and evaluation report to HUD 90 days after the end of each program or operating year. Hopwa performance profiles are generated quarterly for all agencies receiving hopwa grants, and are accessible here: https://WWW.hudexchange.info/programs/hopwa/hopwa-performance-profiles/

Intended beneficiaries

Eligibility for hopwa is limited to individuals and families who have: (1) at least one person with an HIV diagnosis. This includes families where the only eligible person is a minor. Medical verification of status is required; and 2) a total household income that does not exceed 80% of the area median income (AMI), as defined by HUD. A person with HIV or a family member regardless of income is eligible to receive hopwa housing information services. Any person living in proximity to a community residence is eligible to participate in that residence's community outreach and educational activities regarding HIV/aids.

Subrecipient activities

The subrecipient activities are unknown at the time of award.