HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA National AIDS Housing Coalition Congressional Briefing

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA 1959 Earliest case of HIV confirmed. HIV found in blood samples of an African man First known case in the U.S. A teen prostitute with HIV and Kaposi's Sarcoma dies.

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA “We saw a young gay man with the most devastating immune deficiency we have ever seen. We said ‘We don’t know what this is, but we hope we don’t ever see another like it again.’” Dr. Samuel Brode, the first time he saw a patient with AIDS "Gay cancer," later called GRID (Gay Related Immunodeficiency) 152 cases reported in the U.S.; 128 are dead. "Dr. Curran of the CDC said, 'The best evidence against contagion is that no cases have been reported outside the homosexual community or in women'" The New York Times 1981

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA “When it began turning up in children and transfusion recipients, that was a turning point in terms of public perception. Up until then it was a gay epidemic, and it was easy for the average person to say 'So what?' Now everyone could relate.” Harold Jaffe, CDC 1982 Over and over, these men cry out against the weight of so many losses until it seems that AIDS is all there is and all there ever will be. Jane Gross

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA 14-year old Ryan White, diagnosed with AIDS at 13, is barred from attending school. Rock Hudson dies of AIDS. 1985

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA In February, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) is founded. In March, their first mass demonstration was held on Wall Street. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is started in San Francisco. 1986

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA 20 states introduce bills to ban PWAs from food-handling and educational jobs, and force testing of prostitutes. Several pass. The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is initiated. 59,572 reported AIDS cases; 27,909 are dead. 1987

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA The Ryan White CARE ACT passes authorizing $881 million. Congress only appropriates $350 million. American AIDS deaths pass the 100,000 mark — nearly twice the number of Americans who died in Vietnam. 1990

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA Federal Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program created and funded. $42.9 million was awarded to 38 grantees (27 cities and 11 States). 1992

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA What is HOPWA? Since the beginning of the HOPWA program in 1992, the Federal government has made available over $2.3 billion in HOPWA funds to support community efforts to create and operate HIV/AIDS housing initiatives. The HOPWA program provides housing assistance and related supportive services for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS (PWHIV/AIDS) and their families. In FFY 2003, HOPWA funds were awarded to 111 grantees.

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA  According to the CDC, an estimated 850,000 to 950,000 Americans are living with HIV.  About half of infected Americans don’t know they have HIV or do not receive the drugs that are improving the lives of others.  At least half of all new HIV infections are among people under 25, and the majority of young people are infected sexually.  Of those diagnosed with AIDS – 18.4% are women; 40.6% are African- American; 46% are gay men; 25% are or were injecting drug users.  It is estimated that 33% - 50% of all PLWHIV/AIDS are either homeless or in imminent danger of becoming homeless. HIV/AIDS Statistics

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA The Need for Housing for PLHIV/AIDS  In New York City, 60% of the 50,000 New Yorkers living with AIDS received housing assistance in 2002 and 1,000 seek emergency housing each month.  HOPWA jurisdictions throughout the U.S. report extensive waiting lists for HOPWA assisted housing. In 2002, this included approximately 5,000 in NYC, 2,000 in Massachusetts, 534 in St. Louis, over 350 in Dallas, and 514 in Washington, D.C.  In Connecticut, a startling 80% of the 1,082 PLWHIV/AIDS who requested housing assistance were denied because of a lack of subsidized housing.

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA 1997 For the first time since 1981, the number of AIDS-related deaths dropped substantially across the US. "The decline in deaths leaves more people living with HIV/AIDS. …We still need programs that assure access to treatment and care for infected people." Dr John Ward

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA The Need for Housing for PLHIV/AIDS  In Hawaii, half as many people are waiting for assistance as are served through HOPWA. And in Phoenix, AZ, providers turn away more than half of the people requesting assistance.  In the South, 68% of people with HIV/AIDS pay more than 50% of their income to rent.  In Los Angeles, 10,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS received housing assistance in 2000.

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA 40,000 new HIV infections each year. 902,223 diagnosed with AIDS ,758 deaths.

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA PWHIV/AIDS must have stable housing to access comprehensive healthcare and adhere to complex drug therapies. Even though stable housing has been shown to be a necessary link to medical and supportive services, accessing housing is difficult for many reasons – affordability, long waiting lists, low vacancy rates, lack of transportation and childcare, unrealistic FMRs. Housing is Healthcare!!!

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA HOPWA Formula ProgramHOPWA Formula Program uses a statutory method to allocate HOPWA funds to eligible States and cities on behalf of their metropolitan areas. HOPWA Competitive ProgramHOPWA Competitive Program is a national competition to select model projects or programs. HOPWA National Technical AssistanceHOPWA National Technical Assistance funding awards are provided to strengthen the management, operation, and capacity of HOPWA grantees, project sponsors, and potential applicants of HOPWA funding. HOPWA funds are awarded as grants from one of three programs:

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA Fiscal yearFormula allocations Competitive grants Technical assistance Totals HOPWA Funding 2001 – 2004 (in millions)

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA The administration's proposed HOPWA budget for 2006 is $268 million. When compared to last year’s funding level, this amounts to a $13 million decrease, the lowest level since NAHC strongly recommends that HOPWA be funded at $385 million in FY06

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA States and cities leverage approximately two dollars for every one dollar provided by the HOPWA program.

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA HOPWA funds may be used for a wide range of housing, social services, program planning, and development costs. These include, acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of housing units; costs for facility operations; rental assistance; and short-term payments to prevent homelessness. HOPWA funds also may be used for health care and mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, nutritional services, case management, assistance with daily living, and other supportive services. How HOPWA funds can be used….

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA HUD estimates that the FY 2004 HOPWA appropriation:  Inclusive of family members, provided housing assistance to about 73,700 persons; and that  More than half of those units (45,000 units) were for small, short-term payments to prevent homelessness.  25,000 units involved ongoing rental assistance.  Approximately 5,000 units in supportive housing facilities, single room occupancy (SRO) dwellings, or community residences also will be developed or operated with HOPWA funds. Who has been assisted by HOPWA?

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA HOPWA funding is an important tool in the nation’s effort to address the dual epidemics of homelessness and HIV/AIDS. HOPWA assistance helps PLWHIV/AIDS overcome key barriers to stable housing—affordability and discrimination. NAHC strongly recommends that HOPWA be funded at $385 million in FY06 In Closing...

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA This presentation is dedicated in memory of Keith Cylar and the incredible work he did on behalf of people with HIV/AIDS. Keith was a co-founder and co- executive director of HousingWorks, NYC and a Board member of NAHC. Washington, DC, March 2004 April 14, April 5, 2004

HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and HOPWA For more information contact: Nancy Bernstine, Executive Director National AIDS Housing Coalition 1518 K Street NW, Suite 206 Washington, DC