I am HIV Positive and I need housing assistance.
About HOPWA Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA)
Purpose
To provide resources and support services for long-term housing strategies for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Mission
DC Health’s housing programs provide vital housing and supportive services to people living with HIV/AIDS. These programs aim to reduce homelessness, improve health outcomes, and promote housing stability and independence.
Areas We Serve
- Washington, DC
- Maryland: Prince George’s County, Calvert County, Charles County
- West Virginia: Jefferson County
- Northern Virginia:
- City of Alexandria
- Arlington County
- Clarke County
- Culpeper County
- Fairfax City
- Fairfax County
- City of Falls Church
- Fauquier County
- City of Fredericksburg
- Loudoun County
- City of Manassas
- City of Manassas Park
- Prince William County
- Rappahannock County
- Spotsylvania County
- Stafford County
- Warren County
- Culpepper
Available Programs
1. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
A longer-term rental subsidy used to help participants obtain permanent housing in the private rental housing market that meets housing quality/habitability standards and is “rent reasonable.” - Participants pay the greater of 10% of gross income or 30% of adjusted income for rent. - HOPWA pays the balance directly to the landlord/property manager. - Participants are required to apply for other available housing resources. - Rent is paid through DC Housing Authority or Housing Counseling Services. - TBRA is provided by: HCS (DC, MD), NVRC, FAHASS, PWH, NVFS, CNI.
2. Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance (STRMU)
A needs-based, time-limited housing assistance for households already in permanent housing, designed to prevent homelessness or maintain stability due to illness or income loss. - Available for up to 21 weeks in any 52-week period, subject to HAHSTA funding caps and HUD approval. - Amount varies depending on client needs, available funding, and program guidelines. - Providers: - HCS (DC, Prince George’s, Calvert, and Charles Counties) - NVRC, FAHASS, NVFS, CNI (Jefferson County)
3. Permanent Housing Placement (PHP)
One-time support for move-in costs including security deposit, first month’s rent, and application fees. - Funding helps establish a household in a permanent housing unit. - May include background screening and up to two months of the new unit’s rental value. - Reserved primarily for TBRA clients but may assist non-HOPWA clients such as those with Housing Choice Vouchers. - Providers: - Washington, DC & Maryland: Housing Counseling Services (HCS) - Northern Virginia: FAHASS and NVFS
4. Facility-Based Housing & Operations:
Provides stable housing with onsite support services in a congregate or structured environment.
Transitional Housing Programs
Temporary housing with intensive services to support transition to permanent housing. - Transitional housing is limited to 24 months. - Extensions of up to 3 months may be requested by the provider and approved by HAHSTA. - Geared toward increasing self-sufficiency and moving households toward permanent housing.
Programs include:
- Senior Transitional Opportunity Program (S-TOP) - For seniors (58+) or disabled individuals; includes rental subsidy, intensive case management, and requirement to demonstrate productive activity.
- Transitional Opportunity Program (TOP) - For single adults; includes rental subsidy and requirement to engage in 40 hours/week of productive activity.
- Homes for Hope – Transitional Housing - For single adults only for up to 24 months- 12 single apartment units
- Homes for Hope – Emergency Housing - For single adults only for up to 60 days – 8 beds • Community Family Life Services - For single adults only for up to 24 months – 10 single room occupancy units (SRO’s)
- Joseph’s House - 7 bed facility for up to 24 months • Support services of food and transportation assistance
5. Sustainable Housing Assistance Rental Program (SHARP)
Flat rate rent subsidies (equal to 40% of HUD Fair Market Rent) for employed individuals with HIV. Promotes savings and housing stability. Not eligible for HOPWA/RW emergency rental assistance while enrolled.
6. Housing Independence Through Employment (HITE)
Focuses on economic and housing independence for highly motivated individuals. Includes rent subsidy, case management, and support for career advancement.
7. PrEP Housing
CDC-funded transitional housing for MSM of color (ages 25–35) at risk for HIV. - Shared units, grocery and transportation stipends, PrEP adherence case management, and life skills training. - Enrolled for 18–24 months. - No cost to clients; must save 30% of monthly income toward future housing.
8. Emergency Housing/Shelter
Short-term housing in facilities with support services to assist homeless or at-risk PLWHAs and their families. - Based on HOPWA regulation 574.330(a) and (b)(1), no shelter may house more than 50 individuals at once or shelter anyone more than 60 days in a six-month period. - Entry point: Housing Counseling Services (HCS) handles intake and assessment for all housing programs. - Providers include: - Community Family Life Services (CFLS) – 10 beds - Homes For Hope – 8 emergency beds, 12 permanent units - Joseph’s House – 7 beds - HCS – Scattered site units.
9. Housing Information and Referral Services (HIRS)
Dedicated to helping people living with HIV/AIDS and their families identify, locate, and acquire housing. - Includes intake, assessment, linkage/referral for housing and support services. - Offers fair housing counseling for those who may encounter discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, familial status, or disability. - Providers: - Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) - Housing Counseling Services (HCS) - Community Networks Inc. (CNI)
10. Supportive Services
Wraparound services including case management, medical linkage, mental health/substance use referrals, and employment support.
11. Resource Development
Provider support, training, technical assistance, and coordination to enhance housing program implementation.
12. The Bridges Program
A needs-based program for financial assistance with rental delinquencies. - Max assistance: $2000/fiscal year - Eligible uses: First month’s rent, security deposits, mortgage & utility delinquencies - Administered by HCS for residents in DC, Prince George’s, Charles, and Calvert Counties
13. Housing Pathways to Independence (HPI)
The Housing Pathways to Independence (HPI) program is a twelve (12) month short-term rental subsidy program that assists newly diagnosed HIV participants and/or participants who are not virally suppressed pursue improved employment opportunities while achieving economic and housing independence. Upon the first twelve (12) months of successful program completion of your housing plan and program agreement, you can be eligible for an additional twelve (12) months.
Contact for all programs in DC and Maryland:
Housing Counseling Services (HCS)
Phone: (202) 667-2681 | Website: housingetc.org
In Northern Virginia contact
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC)
Phone: (703) 642-0700 | Website:novaregion.org