July 12, 2010
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Rhode Island Housing

 

Providence, RI (July 12, 2010) – Two programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island will continue to receive funding over the next three years. The grants, offered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA), will provide service-enriched homes for dozens of families, allowing them to manage their illnesses while receiving critically-needed support services.
 
Rhode Island Housing has been awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,240,606 for Sunrise Project. The program is a collaborative partnership between Rhode Island Housing, AIDS Care Ocean State in Providence and Family Resources Community Action in Woonsocket. The funding will be used to continue the operation of 13 facility-based homes and 18 scattered site leased homes. Supportive services will help 73 families annually.
 
Rhode Island Housing was also awarded a HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $741,355 for New Transitions. This program includes a five-home transitional substance abuse treatment facility and nine scattered site leased homes. It offers supportive services to 24 families each year. New Transitions is the result of a partnership between Rhode Island Housing and AIDS Care Ocean State. AIDS Care Ocean State will provide substance abuse treatment, intensive support services, and life skills training for about three months, after which clients move to their own apartments with the support of a service network to ensure they remain in their homes. 
 
“Providing critical services in a healthy home is a cost-efficient and outcome-effective model that works well for individuals, families and communities,” said Richard Godfrey, Executive Director of Rhode Island Housing. "HUD’s renewed funding for the Sunrise Project and New Transitions will ensure that Rhode Islanders living with HIV/AIDS have a safe and stable place to live and connect them with services to improve their health and quality of life.”
 
“Rhode Island continues to be a regional leader in HIV Housing with the announcement of HUD/HOPWA grants,” said Paul Fitzgerald, President of AIDS Care Ocean State. “Housing is a key social determinant of HIV risk and health outcomes as evidenced by research studies presented at the June 2010 North American Housing and HIV/AIDS Research Summit.”
 
“We are very pleased to learn about the HUD award. HOPWA is an important program that leads to positive outcomes for individuals living with HIV/AIDS,” said Ben Lessing, Executive Director of Family Resources Community Action. “We have seen improvement in the health of those who have been served, as they are able to stabilize their living situation and get connected to critical supports in the community.”
 
In all, HUD awarded $30.2 million in HOPWA grants to 29 local programs in 19 states this year. Housing assistance and supportive services funded by HOPWA are an essential part of the essential system of care for persons living 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. Up eight percent from last year, HUD is making a record $335 million available to help communities provide homes for this special needs population.