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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded a $3,112,672 Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Formula Grant to the City of Jacksonville, Florida to provide housing assistance and supportive services for low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS in the Jacksonville metropolitan area.

The HOPWA program aims to establish stable housing, reduce homelessness risk, and improve access to healthcare and supportive services for this vulnerable population. The grant funds can be used for a variety of eligible activities including tenant-based and facility-based rental assistance, transitional and short-term housing, permanent housing placement, and comprehensive supportive services such as case management and healthcare coordination. Through this award, the City of Jacksonville will partner with several sub-grantees, including Northeast Florida Aids Network, Inc., Gateway Community Services, Inc., Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network, Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida, Inc., and Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., to deliver these critical housing interventions and supportive services for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the region.

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.