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 awarded the Louisiana Department of Health $3,638,149 under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) formula grant program on December 9, 2025.

The award funds housing assistance and supportive services for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families in New Orleans, Louisiana. Housing assistance takes the form of permanent housing through tenant-based (scattered site) and facility-based rental assistance, or transitional and short-term housing assistance. The recipient may also fund supportive services, program planning, and development costs under eligible activities defined in 24 CFR 574.300, as identified in the Louisiana Department of Health's consolidated plan and annual action plan submitted to and approved by HUD. Program activities focus on establishing stable housing, reducing the risk of homelessness, and improving access to healthcare and supportive services.

The period of performance runs from December 9, 2025 through December 8, 2028. The Louisiana Department of Health, operating as the Office of Public Health, serves as the state grantee and must submit annual performance reports to HUD documenting grant expenditures, activities undertaken, program accomplishments, and household outcomes related to housing stability, homelessness prevention, and access to care and support.

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.