HOPWA

The Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) Program is offered by FFC as part of a continuum of care to assist people affected by HIV/AIDS. The program is designed to achieve stable housing and independence for people who are experiencing temporary financial crisis as a result of their illness. FFC’s HOPWA Program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is supported by Fan Free Clinic and the City of Richmond’s Department of Community Development, Housing and Neighborhoods Division.

Fan Free Clinic provides HOPWA services based on need and program eligibility. To be considered for enrollment in the program, an applicant must be a part of FFC ’s Case Management Program and also actively engaged in medical and/or mental health care for HIV disease.

HOPWA assistance is designed to help people who are able to work toward achieving stabilization and some degree of self-sufficiency. The program cannot effectively serve persons who are:

• Unwilling to participate in goal planning;
• Active substance abusers who refuse to engage in treatment; and/or
• Consistently and actively engaged in illegal acts.

Services

• Stabilization planning;
• Budgeting;
• Assistance in finding safe affordable housing;
• Resolution of rent or mortgage payments concerns;
• Short term utility payment assistance up to 21 weeks;
• Short-term rent /mortgage payment assistance up to 21 weeks;
• Assistance with first and last month rent payments; and
• Referral services to long-term rental assistance, based on need.

Eligibility Requirements

The HOPWA Program will assist those low-income persons infected by HIV/AIDS who:

• Meet the income requirements of HOPWA.
• Are in imminent danger of homelessness due to financial crisis. Priority will be given to clients who are in imminent danger of homelessness because of their increased health risks due to HIV/AIDS.
• Are not in housing that is based on income, such as Section 8.
• Minimum consideration will be given to those applicants who are in safe, affordable housing.

The program is able to serve only a limited number of persons per month who need housing assistance.

Application Process

The application process can take up to ten (10) working days to complete. FFC will maintain a fair and accurate waiting list, if necessary, of those requesting HOPWA assistance.

Referrals will be received directly from the applicant or from a medical or community case manager.

To apply:

• Potential clients should call and set up an initial interview with a case manager at Fan Free Clinic.
• Prior to the first appointment, the applicant must submit all screening and application documents pertinent to improving the participant’s housing situation.

A follow-up interview will be scheduled with FFC’s Housing Specialist for further evaluation.

Enrollment

Enrollment decisions are made by a committee composed of Fan Free Clinic staff. Once the committee makes a determination, applicants will be notified of their enrollment status. Following admission into the program, the Housing Specialist will schedule subsequent meetings to implement the housing plan with the participant.

Program Participation

Continuation in the program is based on:

• Eligibility;
• Availability of funds;
• Full cooperation of the client with the program guidelines; and
• Compliance with the individual housing plan.

The participant must willingly and actively work toward stabilization, adhere to all program guidelines, and engage in all relevant services designed to meet the goals outlined in the housing plan.

Serving the counties of Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King and Queen, King William, Louisa, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George, and Sussex; and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond.