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BUSH ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $12 MILLION TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING AND SERVICES TO THOUSANDS LIVING WITH HIV/ AIDS

WASHINGTON - Thousands of people with HIV/ AIDS and their families will receive permanent housing and supportive services as a result of $12 million in grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.

The renewal grants are part of HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program that is distributing $277 million to metropolitan areas and states this year. The funding announced today will help support existing programs in 13 states and is expected to generate an additional $10 million from other public and private sources to further help provide permanent housing and needed services to persons with HIV/AIDS and their families.

"Housing is a critical part of caring for those living with HIV/ AIDS," said Martinez. "HUD is committed to helping these families find a permanent place to call home while providing the services necessary to help them."

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, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The HOPWA grants announced today are part of a competition to continue operating existing programs around the country. Later this year, HUD will announce approximately $17.5 million to fund new projects and to provide technical assistance. The Bush Administration is proposing an additional $15 million for the HOPWA program next year.

The 14 renewal projects are expected to provide housing assistance to 4,092 persons and support services to another 3,032 persons.

Housing assistance and the support services funded by the HOPWA program are a vital part of the comprehensive system of care for those living with HIV/ AIDS. A stable home environment is critically important for low-income persons, who have complex drug therapies and potential side effects from their treatments.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov.

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Note to editors: Summaries of the grants are available on-line