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BUSH ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $19 MILLION TO PROVIDE HOUSING AND SERVICES TO THOUSANDS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

WASHINGTON - More than 5,000 persons with HIV/AIDS and their families will receive housing because of $19 million in grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez. Thousands of other individuals will also receive better access to the services they need as a result of the funding announced today.

"Providing care to those living with HIV/AIDS must include housing," said Martinez. "This Administration is committed to helping these families not only find a home but receive the services they need to maintain their quality of life."

The 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 new programs in 13 states and is expected to generate an additional $40 million from other public and private sources to further help provide permanent housing and needed services to persons with HIV/AIDS and their families.

The grants will help 14 local projects around the country along with providing technical assistance through two organizations. Earlier this year, Martinez announced an additional $12 million to fund existing programs that provide permanent housing and services to low-income persons with HIV/AIDS.

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 assist new programs around the country. The Bush Administration is proposing an additional $15 million for the HOPWA program next year.

The 14 new projects are expected to provide housing assistance to 5,067 persons and support services to another 3,635 persons. In addition, two grants will provide technical support to improve management of HOPWA projects throughout the country.

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.

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Read descriptions of individual awards, by state and community.