BOISE – The Idaho Housing and Finance Association will provide nearly $1.3 million over the next three years in housing assistance for low-income Idahoans living with HIV/AIDS and their families, IHFA officials announced today. This is the first time such funding has been available in Idaho.

The $1.3 million will provide long-term rental assistance toward 45 units, short-term rental and utility assistance, case management, and dental and psychiatric services for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS. Funds will be distributed statewide according to greatest areas of need; specific amounts for each region have yet to be finalized.

"This funding process is highly competitive," said Julie Williams, IHFA vice president of Community Housing Services. "After working for three years to acquire funds, it’s rewarding to finally be able to offer assistance to persons with AIDS."

This past year, IHFA conducted community meetings around the state reviewing housing services in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs and permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals. Those meetings revealed that persons with HIV/AIDS served in these facilities were often at great personal or medical risk. The funds will help fill the gaps identified in housing resources and supportive services necessary for those individuals and their families.

IHFA provides federal rental assistance to approximately 3,000 low-income families across the state. This additional funding will assist 384 people and their families, which is more than half the number of Idahoans identified as living with AIDS.

To address this growing problem, IHFA will partner with Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, Nampa Housing Authority, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, North Idaho AIDS Coalition, Central Idaho Care Consortium, Magic Valley HIV/AIDS Group, Southeastern Idaho AIDS Coalition, Stonewall Health Project, Idaho AIDS Foundation, Terry Reilly Health Services and Family Practice Residency of Idaho. Collectively, the group will administer a comprehensive and coordinated program to provide housing with supportive assistance for AIDS patients and their families.

"These individuals have specific needs and issues that can be responded to through a supportive service network," continued Williams. "Our partnership with these various entities will help meet those needs."

The $1.3 million came in the form of a federal Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grant this week. For more information on this new program, contact the IHFA Housing Information and Resource Center’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-438-4472.