Atlanta Nonprofits Receive $5 Million in Grants to Support Individuals with HIV/AIDS

In an unprecedented move, two Atlanta-based organizations—AID Atlanta and Positive Impact Health Centers—have received a total of $5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. These funds will notably increase the capacity of these two organizations to provide vital support services and housing for those affected by this ongoing epidemic.

Crucial Support for Atlanta’s HIV/AIDS Community

The grants were secured on Friday through the Housing Intervention to End the HIV Epidemic (HINT) initiative—a program designed to support emergency housing assistance and social services for families and individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS. Assistant Deputy Secretary Jemine Bryon of HUD announced this significant funding at a press conference held at City Hall.

This aid is particularly essential for Atlanta, as it ranks third in the nation for new HIV infections. According to the chief operating officer of Positive Impact Health Centers, Joey Helton, more than two-thirds of the 12,000 patients they serve experience housing instability. Helton reminds us of the interconnectivity between housing and healthcare, emphasizing that stable housing plays a pivotal role in the adherence to HIV treatment plans, mental health prioritization, and overall health maintenance.

HUD’s Response

Rita Harcrow, the director of HUD’s HIV/AIDS housing office, echoed this sentiment by stating: “At HUD, we believe we cannot end the HIV epidemic without addressing homelessness and housing instability for the populations most impacted by HIV.” This statement highlights the central role of housing stability in tackling the HIV epidemic.

Of the $26 million in HINT funds awarded nationally by HUD, the prominent grants to AID Atlanta and Positive Impact constitute nearly 20%. This allocation signifies the severity of the HIV epidemic in Atlanta and the Southeast.

Impact of the Funding Boost

AID Atlanta’s regular yearly funding from the city of Atlanta under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program averages about $1.9 million. This funding provides short-term rental and mortgage assistance and case management services for people living with HIV and AIDS, among other services. The additional $2.5 million grant is a major financial boost for the organization, although the funds will be received one time over three years and 75% of it must go towards providing housing assistance.

Last year, AID Atlanta supported 247 households through its regular HOPWA funding, which included rent subsidies for 60 individuals or families. Given the significant increase in rent since 2021, the HINT funding will now provide rent subsidies for 72 additional clients. Besides rental aid, the funds will also be used for case management services, mental health care, workforce development training, and credit repair and homeownership workshops with the goal of enhancing clients’ ability to maintain and afford permanent housing after the three-year mark.

This critical fund allocation reinforces the noteworthiness of housing in healthcare, particularly for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Atlanta. With these new grants, AID Atlanta and Positive Impact Health Centers will be better positioned to offer necessary services and provide housing stability for those affected by this devastating epidemic.