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 $797,060 to the City of Worcester, Massachusetts on September 25, 2025, under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program (CFDA 14.241). The award funds housing assistance and supportive services for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families in Worcester and Windham County, Connecticut.

The City of Worcester passes funding to three sub-recipients delivering direct services. Aids Project Worcester receives funding to provide tenant-based rental assistance for 20 households and housing supportive services for 50 households, including housing needs assessments, individualized service plans, direct rental assistance costs, permanent housing placement assistance, and short-term rent, mortgage, and utility payments with first and last month rental start-up support. Making Opportunity Count Inc. provides the CARE AIDS project serving 12 households through permanent housing placement and intensive supportive services at scattered sites. Advancing Connecticut Together provides housing supportive services to at least 9 households, including permanent housing placement assistance, short-term rent and utilities support, and rental start-up payments.

The period of performance runs from September 25, 2025, through September 24, 2028. Place of performance is Worcester, Massachusetts. The HOPWA formula grant is contingent on HUD approval of Worcester's Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan and requires annual submission of performance reports on grant expenditures, activities, accomplishments, and household outcomes related to housing stability, homelessness prevention, and access to care.

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.