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…

Federal Formula Grant Award Summary

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development awarded $1,644,543 to Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government on September 15, 2025, under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program (CFDA 14.241). The three-year formula grant, extending through September 14, 2028, supports comprehensive housing and supportive services for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families in the Louisville metropolitan area. The award funds housing assistance through tenant-based rental assistance, facility-based rental assistance, transitional housing, and short-term housing support, alongside critical supportive services including case management, healthcare coordination, and program planning designed to establish stable housing and reduce homelessness risk.

The prime grantee has distributed sub-awards to four service providers to implement HOPWA activities: Legal Aid Society, Inc. (HIV/AIDS Legal Project providing direct legal representation and counsel), Volunteers of America Mid-States, Inc. (short-term rental, mortgage, and utility assistance with individualized case management), House of Ruth Inc. (tenant-based rental assistance, case management, emergency motel stays, and transportation support), and Hoosier Hills AIDS Coalition Inc. (long-term tenant-based rental assistance and case management in Southern Indiana counties). Collectively, these sub-grantees deliver integrated services addressing housing stability, healthcare access, and economic stability for eligible HIV/AIDS clients across the Louisville metropolitan region and surrounding counties.

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.