Housing programs for people living with HIV are under attack

 

Press Release - May 2, 2025   Washington, D.C. -- The presidential skinny budget released this morning is nothing short of a disaster for affordable housing programs and people living with HIV.     The proposal would consolidate the Housing Opportunity for People with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) program into the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program, making HOPWA a short-term housing program and cap eligibility for beneficiaries at 2 years. It would also significantly reduce funding levels.     Never in HOPWA’s 32-year history has the program faced as serious a threat to its design and intent. Changing HOPWA to a short-term program would mean that 45,000 low-income people living with HIV who depend on HOPWA – including more than 4,000 veterans – would soon face homelessness. Without stable housing, medical care for these HOPWA beneficiaries would likely be disrupted, resulting in worse health outcomes for individuals, and raising the community incidence of HIV.    “Changing HOPWA into a short-term, ‘emergency’ grant program misses the point that the emergency has already occurred. HOPWA is a payor of last resort, meaning people who rely on it have no other options between HOPWA-subsidized housing or living on the streets. This budget proposal would introduce a two-year cap on assistance for HOPWA beneficiaries, even though most beneficiaries are older than 55 and/or living with severe disabilities. Further, the consolidation of this program into other programs, while calling for a significant cut in funding to HOPWA, essentially eliminates a program created by Congress,” said Lauren Banks, Executive Director of the National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition (NHAHC).     Among the other dangers this proposed budget threatens:  Block granting most housing programs to the states, including Housing Choice Vouchers. This means that states and cities will have to pay more into homelessness programs just to maintain current levels of housing security.   Eliminating the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which helps cities build affordable housing for low-income families.   Eliminating the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, killing a key source of funding for rural communities to build affordable housing for low-income families.   Cutting rental assistance programs by at least 40%, negatively affecting renters and property owners across the country, and adding to the affordable housing crisis.    The National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition (NHAHC), in partnership with our affordable housing and public health partners across the country, will fight tirelessly because failure is not an option.  The nationwide affordable housing crisis is worsening, and these budget changes would only exacerbate this emergency.   HIV is a public health issue. People living with HIV can achieve viral suppression only if they have access to stable housing. A failure to do this means HIV rates will rise in jurisdictions around the country.   More than 2,000 children benefit directly from HOPWA housing programs.    HIV and homelessness are bipartisan issues, impacting every Congressional district. We urge all members of Congress, regardless of party, to stand up and fight these disastrous proposals.     For press/media inquiries, please contact NHAHC's Executive Director, Lauren Banks, at lauren@nhahc.org.