If You Are Living With HIV/AIDS You May Qualify for Housing Assistance
Date: 12/15/21
Louisiana is ranked 4th highest in state AIDS case rates. It’s important to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and talk about the resources available. One resource available is Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS also known as HOPWA.
HOPWA provides housing assistance and supportive services for low to moderate income persons with HIV/AIDS and their families.
Another source of assistance available through HOPWA is short-term emergency rental assistance. This provides persons with HIV/AIDS funding to help them pay for their living expenses, such as rent, mortgages and utilities. Short-term emergency rental assistance through HOPWA can be used for a maximum of five months.
Another form of HOPWA assistance is Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA). This provides non-temporary or temporary rental assistance to eligible persons with HIV/AIDS.
Who is eligible to receive HOPWA assistance?
To be eligible for HOPWA, a person must be:
- A resident of Louisiana
- HIV positive
- Low or moderate Income, as a Medicaid recipient, you would be eligible.
For information about the HOPWA program in the New Orleans area call the Mayor's Office of Health Policy at (504) 658-2800. For the Baton Rouge area call the Office of Social Services at (225) 358-4561. If you live in any other city in Louisiana and need assistance call the Louisiana STD/HIV Program at (504) 568-7474.
To learn more about the HOPWA program visit https://ldh.la.gov/page/1120.