News Release

HUD AWARDS $1.1 MILLION TO CITY OF DALLAS FOR AIDS HOUSING PROGRAMS
Funding to support critically needed housing and services

FORT WORTH - Persons in Dallas living with HIV/AIDS and their families will find a stable home and receive help managing their illnesses because of a $1,183,680 grant announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston. A total of $10.3 million was awarded nationally through the Department's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program to eight local nonprofit organizations and one city housing agency across the country.

"The funding we announce today will provide hope for families who are struggling to stay healthy and find a stable home this holiday season," said Preston. "By offering critically needed housing to these families, we can also help them to avoid homelessness and provide the services they need to help them to manage their illnesses."

In addition to the new grants announced today, HUD awarded $19 million last August to renew funding to 18 existing HOPWA-funded competitively selected projects nationwide.

The HOPWA Program awards grants to local communities, States and non-profit organizations to provide stable housing for very low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families who are homeless, or at risk for, homelessness. It helps those medically diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families in obtaining and maintaining housing that serves as a base to improve their access to health-care and other support.

Ninety percent of HOPWA funds are distributed by formula to cities and states based on the number of AIDS cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HUD's formula grants are managed by 121 local and state jurisdictions, which coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and community resources.

The City of Dallas' Environmental and Health Services Department will use its grant of $1,183,680 to provide transitional housing to 62 households over the three year grant period. The program will operate out of the new state-of-the-art homeless assistance center, The Bridge. Residents will have access to ongoing rental assistance and/or transitional housing for a period of up to 24 months while they work on becoming independent and obtaining permanent housing through means of their own.

During a previous grant period, 2005-2006, the program served 42 clients, of whom approximately 93% are still stably housed. The City of Dallas will partner with the AIDS Arms & Parkland Hospital System, AIDS Interfaith Network Community Dental Care, Legacy Counseling Center, Legal Hospice of Texas, Open Arms, Inc., and the Resource Center of Dallas. For more information contact: Karen Rayzer at (214) 670-5711