Get Housing Help Living with HIV/AIDS: The HOPWA Program Explained

If you’re living with HIV or AIDS and struggling to afford stable housing, the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program can help. This HUD program provides rental assistance, help with utilities, short-term emergency housing support, and connections to supportive services—all designed to help you maintain stable housing while managing your health.

Housing stability isn’t just about having a roof over your head when you’re living with HIV/AIDS. Stable housing is directly connected to better health outcomes. When you’re not worried about where you’ll sleep tonight or how you’ll pay rent, you can focus on taking your medications consistently, keeping medical appointments, and taking care of your health. Research consistently shows that people with HIV who have stable housing have better viral suppression rates and overall health outcomes.

HOPWA operates in communities across the United States and territories, funded by HUD but administered locally by state and local governments, nonprofits, and housing agencies. Because it’s administered locally, the exact services available and how to access them vary by location, but the core mission remains the same: preventing homelessness and housing instability for people affected by HIV/AIDS.

What HOPWA Provides

HOPWA isn’t a single type of assistance—it’s a flexible program that can help in multiple ways depending on your situation and what your local program offers.

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)

This is ongoing help with rent, similar to a Section 8 voucher but specifically for people with HIV/AIDS. If approved for TBRA, the program pays all or part of your rent directly to your landlord for an extended period. You typically pay 30% of your adjusted income toward rent, and HOPWA covers the rest up to the local fair market rent.

TBRA is helpful if you’re able to live independently but need financial support to afford housing. You find your own apartment or house, and the assistance follows you if you move (as long as you stay within the program’s service area). The assistance can continue for months or years as long as you remain eligible and funding is available.

Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility (STRMU) Assistance

If you’re facing a temporary financial crisis—you lost your job, had unexpected medical bills, your hours got cut—STRMU can provide emergency help to keep you housed. This assistance can cover rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills for up to 21 weeks in a 52-week period.

STRMU is designed for short-term emergencies, not ongoing support. If your landlord is threatening eviction for unpaid rent, or your power is about to be shut off, STRMU can step in to prevent that crisis. It bridges the gap while you work on stabilizing your income or finding longer-term assistance.

Permanent Housing Placement

Some HOPWA programs help with the costs of moving into a new place, which can be a huge barrier when you’re trying to escape homelessness or an unsafe living situation. This can include security deposits, first month’s rent, utility deposits, and sometimes even modest furniture or household items.

Getting into housing often requires upfront money most people don’t have sitting around, especially if you’ve been homeless or living unstably. HOPWA permanent housing placement assistance removes that barrier so you can actually move in when you find an appropriate place.

Facility-Based Housing

Some HOPWA programs operate or fund housing facilities specifically for people with HIV/AIDS. These might be apartment complexes, group homes, or single-room occupancy facilities. Facility-based housing often includes supportive services on-site and is designed for people who need more support than just financial assistance.

Supportive Services

Beyond help with housing costs, many HOPWA programs connect participants to supportive services including case management, mental health services, substance use treatment, assistance with daily living activities, nutritional services, and job training or employment assistance. These services recognize that stable housing requires more than just paying rent—it requires addressing the whole person and all the challenges you face.

At a Glance: Program Essentials

Who Qualifies for HOPWA

To be eligible for HOPWA assistance, you must meet three basic requirements: diagnosis, income, and location.

HIV/AIDS Diagnosis

You must have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS. Your household qualifies if you (the person with HIV/AIDS) live there, or if a family member living with you has HIV/AIDS. Documentation of diagnosis is required, typically a letter from your doctor or clinic, but programs are required to keep your health information confidential.

If you haven’t been tested or diagnosed but suspect you might have HIV, many HOPWA programs can connect you to testing services. Getting tested and knowing your status is the first step to accessing both medical care and housing assistance.

Income Requirement

Your household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) for your location. The exact dollar amount varies widely depending on where you live and your household size. In expensive cities, 80% AMI might be $60,000 for a family of four. In rural areas, it might be $35,000.

Income includes all sources: wages, Social Security, disability benefits, unemployment, child support—basically any money coming into your household. Some deductions are allowed when calculating your income (medical expenses, childcare costs), which can help you qualify even if your gross income is slightly over the limit.

Location

You must live in an area served by a HOPWA-funded organization. HOPWA funds are distributed as formula grants to certain metropolitan areas with high HIV prevalence, as well as competitive grants to states and nonprofits. Not every community has a HOPWA program, though most major cities do.

If your area doesn’t have HOPWA, you should still apply for other HUD housing assistance programs (Housing Choice Vouchers, Public Housing, etc.) and look into state or local emergency assistance programs. HOPWA isn’t the only option, just one specifically designed for people with HIV/AIDS.

Priority Populations

When funding is limited (which it often is), HOPWA programs may prioritize people who are:

• Homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness
• Living with someone else temporarily but need to leave
• Living in unsafe or unstable conditions
• Have extremely low income (below 30% AMI)
• Have disabilities in addition to HIV/AIDS

Being in a priority category doesn’t guarantee immediate assistance, but it may move you up on the waiting list.

How to Find and Apply for HOPWA

Because HOPWA is administered locally, you don’t apply directly to HUD—you apply through organizations in your community that receive HOPWA funding.

Step 1: Find Your Local HOPWA Program

Start by contacting your local HIV/AIDS service organization or AIDS Service Organization (ASO). These organizations often either administer HOPWA directly or know which agencies in your area do. You can find these organizations through:

• Your HIV care provider or clinic
• State or local health department HIV/AIDS programs
• 211 information and referral line (dial 211 from any phone)
• HUD’s Resource Locator tool online (search for HOPWA providers in your ZIP code)
• Ryan White program case managers

If you’re already receiving HIV medical care, ask your case manager or social worker—they almost certainly know about HOPWA and can tell you exactly where to apply locally.

Step 2: Contact the HOPWA Provider

Once you identify the local HOPWA program, call or visit them. Many have walk-in hours, others require appointments. Explain that you’re interested in applying for HOPWA housing assistance and ask about:

• What types of HOPWA assistance they offer (not all programs offer all types)
• Current eligibility requirements
• Required documentation
• Whether there’s a waiting list and how long it typically is
• Application procedures

Be prepared to explain your housing situation and why you need help. This isn’t about judging you—it’s about determining what type of assistance best fits your needs.

Step 3: Gather Documentation

You’ll need to provide documentation proving your HIV/AIDS diagnosis, income, and identity. Typical required documents include:

• Letter from your doctor confirming HIV/AIDS diagnosis
• Government-issued photo ID
• Social Security card (for all household members)
• Proof of income for all household members (pay stubs, benefit award letters, tax returns)
• Current lease or documentation of housing situation
• Verification of citizenship or eligible immigration status

If you don’t have some of these documents, ask the program what alternatives they accept. Many programs can help you obtain missing documentation, and they have to maintain strict confidentiality about your HIV status.

Step 4: Complete the Application

Applications vary by program but typically ask about:

• Personal and household information
• Income and assets
• Current housing situation and housing history
• Health status and service needs
• Type of assistance you’re requesting

Answer everything honestly and completely. If you’re not sure how to answer something or don’t understand a question, ask for help. Many programs have staff who can assist with completing applications.

Step 5: Participate in the Assessment

Most programs conduct an in-person assessment or interview after receiving your application. This helps them understand your full situation and determine what assistance you need. They might ask about:

• Your immediate housing crisis or need
• Your ability to maintain housing if given assistance
• Other challenges you’re facing (health, employment, substance use, etc.)
• What supportive services would help you succeed

Be honest during this assessment. If you’re struggling with substance use, mental health issues, or other challenges, saying so helps them connect you to appropriate services. HOPWA programs are designed to serve people with complex needs—you won’t be turned away for being honest about your situation.

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

Processing times vary widely depending on the program and demand. Some programs can make decisions quickly, especially for emergency STRMU assistance. Others have waiting lists, and you might wait months for tenant-based rental assistance. Ask about expected timelines when you apply.

If you’re approved, the program will explain next steps: for TBRA, that might mean finding an apartment; for STRMU, it might mean providing copies of past-due bills; for supportive services, it might mean attending an intake appointment.

Making the Most of HOPWA Assistance

Once you’re enrolled in HOPWA, there are things you can do to maximize the benefit and maintain your eligibility.

Stay in Communication

If your phone number changes, your address changes, or anything significant happens in your life, tell your HOPWA case manager. Missing appointments or required recertifications can result in losing assistance. If you’re going to miss an appointment, call ahead to reschedule.

Use the Supportive Services

Don’t just take the rent money and skip the other services. Case management, counseling, job training—these exist to help you achieve long-term housing stability. Working with a case manager can help you navigate other benefits, deal with landlord issues, find employment, or access healthcare. Use these resources.

Recertify On Time

HOPWA programs require periodic recertification to confirm you’re still eligible. This usually happens annually and involves updating your income information, proof of continued residence, and sometimes documentation of your ongoing HIV care. Missing recertification deadlines can result in termination of benefits, so mark your calendar and submit paperwork on time.

Know Your Rights

As a HOPWA participant, you have rights including:

• Confidentiality of your HIV status
• Fair treatment without discrimination
• The right to live in decent, safe, sanitary housing
• The right to appeal if assistance is denied or terminated
• Freedom from harassment by landlords or program staff

If you feel your rights are being violated, talk to your case manager first. If that doesn’t resolve it, you can file a complaint with HUD.

Plan for Transition

HOPWA assistance isn’t always permanent. Even tenant-based rental assistance can end if funding decreases or your income rises enough that you no longer qualify. Work with your case manager to plan for long-term stability. This might include:

• Applying for Section 8 vouchers as backup
• Working toward employment if you’re able
• Maximizing other benefits (SSI/SSDI, SNAP, Medicaid)
• Building emergency savings when possible

Frequently Asked Questions

Will applying for HOPWA disclose my HIV status to my landlord? No. HOPWA programs are required to maintain strict confidentiality about your HIV status. When the program pays part of your rent to a landlord, they typically do so without disclosing why you qualify for assistance.

Can I use HOPWA with other housing assistance? Generally no—you can’t double up federal housing assistance. If you’re receiving Section 8 or Public Housing, you typically can’t also get HOPWA rent assistance. However, you might be able to use HOPWA for supportive services while receiving other housing help, or use STRMU for a short-term emergency even if you’re on a Section 8 waiting list.

What if my income is zero or very low? That’s fine. HOPWA serves people with very low incomes, including people with no income at all. If you’re receiving HOPWA tenant-based rental assistance and your income is zero, the program would likely cover your full rent (up to the fair market rent limit).

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen? You must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status. Permanent residents qualify. Some undocumented immigrants might be eligible for certain HOPWA services in certain localities—check with your local program.

What if there’s a waiting list? Ask to be placed on it, and ask about emergency assistance while you wait. If you’re literally homeless or facing imminent eviction, you might qualify for STRMU even if TBRA has a long wait. Also apply for other housing assistance programs simultaneously—don’t put all your eggs in the HOPWA basket.

Does HOPWA count as income for other benefits? Housing assistance like HOPWA is generally excluded from income calculations for programs like SNAP, SSI, and Medicaid, so receiving HOPWA shouldn’t reduce your other benefits.

How long can I receive HOPWA assistance? It depends on the type. STRMU is capped at 21 weeks in a year. Tenant-based rental assistance can continue for years as long as you remain eligible and the program has funding. There’s no hard limit, but funding availability varies year to year.

Getting Started

If you or someone in your household is living with HIV or AIDS and facing housing instability, don’t wait to seek help. Housing problems tend to get worse, not better, and the sooner you apply for assistance, the more options you might have.

Start by contacting your HIV care provider’s social services department if you have one. They can connect you to HOPWA and other resources. If you don’t have an HIV care provider yet, contact your local health department’s HIV/AIDS program or call 211 for referrals to AIDS service organizations.

When you contact the HOPWA program, ask about all available types of assistance. Even if you think you just need short-term help, a case manager might identify that you’d benefit from ongoing rental assistance or supportive services you didn’t know existed.

For more information about HOPWA and to locate programs in your area, visit HUD’s HOPWA program page: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/hopwa

Living with HIV/AIDS is challenging enough without adding housing instability to the mix. HOPWA exists specifically to remove that burden so you can focus on your health and wellbeing. If you’re eligible, use it—that’s exactly what it’s there for.