"This grant will provide essential assistance and hope to individuals facing the challenging prospects of living with AIDS," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement.
This funding will be used to provide housing assistance and related services for persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. The Frannie Peabody Center serves low-income individuals with HIV who receive HIV-related services in Portland and who are homeless or at great risk of homelessness; are soon to be released from jail have recently been released from jail, or are at risk of incarceration; or are moderately to severely functionally impaired due to substance use and/or mental illness. The center also offers intensive case management and in-home support services of up to eight to ten persons at a time; outreach to persons in the criminal justice system; outreach to homeless persons with HIV across a range of settings; and in the targeted populations. This outreach is expected to reach at least 60 persons.
In responding to the news of the grant renewal George Friou, Executive Director of the Frannie Peabody Center in Portland noted, "This grant twill continue to make the difference between homelessness and safe, affordable housing for low-income Mainers with HIV infection. Housing remains a major issue for people who struggle with HIV/AIDS. We're proud to partner with HUD and other not-for-profits like Shalom House and AIDS Lodging House to bring essential resources to people who are often without other options."