Why Do People with HIV Need Stable Housing?
Stable housing is closely linked to successful HIV outcomes. With safe, decent, and affordable housing, people with HIV are better able to access medical care and supportive services, get on HIV treatment, take their HIV medication consistently, and see their health care provider regularly. In short: the more stable your living situation, the better you do in care.
Individuals with HIV who are homeless or lack stable housing, on the other hand, are more likely to delay HIV care and less likely to access care consistently or to adhere to their HIV treatment.
Throughout many communities, people with HIV risk losing their housing due to such factors as stigma and discrimination, increased medical costs and limited incomes or reduced ability to keep working due to HIV-related illnesses.
What Federal Housing Assistance Programs Are Available for People with HIV?
To help take care of the housing needs of low-income people living with HIV 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. Under the HOPWA Program, HUD makes grants to local communities, States, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income people living with HIV 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 with HIV.
Find a HOPWA Grantee or Local Program: Search HIV.gov’s HIV Services Locator to search for housing assistance near you.
Are People with HIV Eligible for Other HUD Programs?
In addition to the HOPWA program, people living with HIV 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.
Access Other Housing Information: Find resources for homeless persons, including, youth, veterans, and the chronically homeless, as well as rental, homebuyer, and homeowner assistance.
This page was developed in collaboration with HUD’s Office of HIV/AIDS Housing.