Housing

Why is Stable Housing Important for People With HIV?

The conditions in which people with HIV live, work, learn, and play contribute to their ability to live healthy lives. With safe, decent, and affordable housing, people with HIV are better able to access comprehensive health care and supportive services, get on HIV treatment, take their HV medication consistently, and see their health care provider regularly. However, individuals with HIV who are homeless or lack stable housing are more likely to delay HIV care, have poorer access to regular care, and are less likely to adhere to their HIV treatment.

Throughout many communities, people with HIV risk losing their housing due to factors such as increased medical costs and limited incomes or reduced ability to keep working due to related illnesses. Securing stable housing is a key part of achieving successful HIV outcomes.

Federal Housing Assistance

To help take care of the housing needs of low-income people who are living with HIV/AIDS and their families, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of HIV/AIDS Housing manages the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program. The HOPWA program is the only Federal program dedicated to addressing the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Under the HOPWA Program, HUD makes grants to local communities, States, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. (View grantee eligibility requirements.)

Many local HOPWA programs and projects provide short-term and long-term rental assistance, operate community residences, or provide other supportive housing facilities that have been created to address the needs of people who are living with HIV/AIDS and the challenges that come with the disease.

• Statewide HOPWA Information
  Search HUD’s list of HOPWA grantees to find current contact information for grantees in your state.

• Technical Assistance for HOPWA Grantees
  HOPWA Technical Assistance is available to assist HOPWA grantees, project sponsors, and communities in identifying and addressing the supportive housing needs of low-income individuals and their families living with HIV. Requests for Technical Assistance are submitted through the HUDExchange portal. HOPWA grantees and project sponsors interested in requesting TA should reach out to their local HUD Field Office.

Other HUD Programs for People with HIV

In addition to the HOPWA program, people living with HIV/AIDS are eligible for any HUD program for which they might otherwise qualify (such as by being low-income or homeless). Programs include public housing, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, housing opportunities supported by Community Development Block Grants, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program.

• Find Housing Assistance
  If you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or know someone who is, help is available. Use HUD’s Resource Locator to find housing assistance programs near you.

• Resources on HUD Programs
  For more information on HUD programs, see HUD’s Online Library.