WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins
(R-ME) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) has awarded two grants to help people in Maine who are
living with HIV/AIDS. The money will be used to help people living with
HIV/AIDS find stable homes and receive the services that they need.
The funding announced today is part of HUD’s Housing Opportunities for
Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program and is among $27.5 million awarded
nationwide. Housing assistance and related services funded by HOPWA are a
vital part of the comprehensive system of care for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Funding in Maine will be distributed as follows:
· The City of Portland has been awarded a new competitive grant in the
amount of $1,402,577.
· The Frannie Peabody Center has been awarded a renewal grant in the amount
of $1,273,947.
“A stable home environment is critical for low-income individuals and
families managing complex drug therapies and potential side effects from their
treatments,” said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. “This
funding will be critical as the City of Portland and the dedicated employees
and volunteers of the Frannie Peabody Center continue to provide vital
services to the community, and continue to provide compassionate care for the
community infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Maine.”
The City of Portland Social Services Division will use its grant to
provide rental assistance for 33 households. The Haven’s Outreach to Racial
and Ethnic Minorities is a permanent supportive housing project for
chronically homeless persons and families living with HIV/AIDS. The project
is a partnership with two nonprofits – the Frannie Peabody Center and Shalom
House will provide direct client support service to persons who have cultural
and language issues as immigrants or refugees in accessing assistance. Case
management support will assist residents in accessing other support services
and health care.
The Frannie Peabody Center, a community-based organization in Portland,
will use its grant to continue providing 124 units of short-term rent, tenant
based rental assistance, and facility-based housing placement services for
low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Collaborating partners include
Shalom House, Maine Medical Center, Positive Health Care Facility, and Eastern
Maine AIDS Network. A combination of supportive services will be provided
through mainstream community resources and will compliment housing support
through access to HIV/AIDS case management, volunteer assistance, life skills
education training and medical care.
HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership,
particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for
low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with
disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes
economic and community development, and enforces the nation’s fair housing
laws.