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 $2.395 million to the City of Cambridge on December 23, 2025, under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program (CFDA 14.241) to provide housing assistance, supportive services, program planning, and development costs for low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. The award period runs through December 22, 2028, with performance based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

HOPWA formula funding supports permanent housing (both tenant-based scattered-site and facility-based rental assistance), transitional housing, and short-term housing assistance, contingent upon the City's submission and HUD approval of its Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. Grantees must identify eligible HOPWA activities per 24 CFR 574.300 and submit annual performance reports documenting grant expenditures, activities undertaken, program accomplishments, and household outcomes related to housing stability, homelessness prevention, and access to care and support.

The City of Cambridge distributes funds to multiple sub-recipients delivering rental assistance and supportive services. Victory Programs, Inc. operates rental assistance programs (permanent housing and short-term rental assistance), a scattered-site supportive housing program, supportive services for chronically homeless individuals, and the Ruah House assisted living facility for women. South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc. (SMOC) provides rental assistance through two separate sub-awards. The Lowell Housing Authority, Lynn Housing Authority, Justice Resource Institute, and Institute for Health and Recovery each deliver tenant-based rental assistance. Lynn Housing Authority additionally provides supportive services for chronically homeless individuals and housing search assistance. Sub-awards to these recipients are dated between March 1, 2026, and April 23, 2026.

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.