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 $2,044,113 HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS) Formula Grant to the City of Richmond, Virginia, with an award date of October 25, 2024 and a completion date of October 24, 2027.

The HOPWA program provides grants to address the housing needs of low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. The City of Richmond will use the grant funds to provide eligible activities such as tenant-based and facility-based rental assistance, transitional and short-term housing, permanent housing placement, and supportive services like case management and healthcare coordination. The goal is to establish stable housing, reduce homelessness risk, and improve access to healthcare for this vulnerable population.

The City of Richmond plans to subcontract with local non-profit organizations, Serenity, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, and Supportworks Housing, to deliver specific HOPWA housing assistance and supportive services to qualifying residents in the Richmond metropolitan area.

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.