The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program
The only federal funding specifically designated for housing for people living with HIV and AIDS comes from the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Program, better known as HOPWA. In the 2009 Congressional session, Housing Works, along with allies such as the National AIDS Housing Coalition, has been fighting on Capitol Hill for an increase to HOPWA funding, from $310 million to $360 million. It has been estimated that as many as half of all people living with HIV/AIDS will need housing assistance at some point in their illnesses.
Housing Works has participated in two recent high-profile HOPWA-related demonstrations. In July 2009, Housing Works staff and clients were part of a group of 26 activists who were arrested in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, in part to call for an increase in overall HOPWA funding. In December 2008, Housing Works, in concert with the national activist coalition Campaign to End AIDS, participated in a demonstration protesting the 278-person HOPWA waiting list in the District of Columbia.
How can you help?
- Become a member of the National AIDS Housing Coalition to support housing for people with AIDS.
- Support our advocacy work by becoming a Housing Works member
- Subscribe to our AIDS Issues Update e-newsletter to stay current on the issues and receive action alerts
Sign up for the Update
Published weekly, the AIDS Issues Update is your inside source for in-depth activism news.
Contact
Send thoughts and story tips to j.turkewitz@housingworks.org
