How Can People With HIV Get Housing Stability Assistance?

Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Lori Pace

Having a stable home is essential for everyone. It’s hard to live day by day without a roof over your head and food on your table. Especially for those fighting sickness every day for their healthy being. This article will tell you how people with HIV get housing assistance.

Importance Of Stable Housing Stability Assistance

Stable housing directly links to a successful HIV outcome. This is because they’ll also be more likely to receive HIV treatment and continue their medication. The bottom line is that the more stable your life, the better you will be in care.

Individuals with HIV who are living without stable housing are more likely than others to delay treatment and not access it regularly. They also have a lower chance of adhering to their HIV treatment.

People living with HIV are at risk of losing their homes in many communities due to factors such as stigmatization and discrimination, higher medical costs, limited incomes, or decreased ability to work due to HIV-related illness.

Federal Housing Assistance Programs for People with HIV?

The Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Program (HOPWA) is under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of HIV/AIDS Housing. This program helps meet the housing needs of low-income HIV-positive people and their families. 

HOPWA grants provide two types of grants. HOPWA formula grants use a statutorily mandated formula to allocate around 90 per cent of HOPWA funds to eligible cities in their metropolitan areas.

HUD grants assistance to states, local communities and non-profit organizations in the HOPWA program for projects that help low-income HIV/AIDS patients and their families. Then, local HOPWA programs offer short-term and longer-term rental assistance, run community residences or provide supportive housing facilities for people living with HIV.

So, to find housing assistance in your area, search the HIV Services Locator at HIV.gov.

HOPWA Eligibility Requirements

Formula Program

Eligible applicants are metropolitan statistical areas with more than 500,000 inhabitants and at least 2,000 HIV/AIDS patients. States with more than 2,000 HIV/AIDS victims outside of eligible metropolitan areas are also on the list. The submission and approval of the Consolidated Plan by HUD are a must to receive awards. With the passage and signing of The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act 2016, the method to allocate HOPWA formula funds was modernized.

Competitive Program

States, local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations are eligible applicants. Awards will be made based on competitive applications. Priority is given to congressional authority to renew expired permanent supportive housing grant grants.

Other HUD Programs Available

HUD program for which they might otherwise qualify for being low-income or homeless. These programs include the following:

• Public housing
• The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
• Housing opportunities supported by Community Development Block Grants
• The HOME Investment Partnerships Program
• The Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program.