Mayor Andre Dickens announced his acceptance of the HOPWA Modernization Task Force recommendations. The HOPWA Modernization Task Force held meetings over the course of the previous eighteen months to develop recommendations on how to address the reduction in HOWPA funding allocated to the City due to changes in the federal government’s HOPWA funding formula known as HOPWA Modernization.
The HOPWA Modernization Task Force included City staff, Council President Doug Shipman, Councilmember Jason Dozier, Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham, Status: Home President and CEO Maryum Lewis and AID Atlanta Executive Director Nicole Roebuck.
“Thank you to all the members of the task force for their work and commitment to ensuring that our HOPWA program continues to operate at the highest levels,” said Mayor Dickens. “The recommendations provided are well received, and I will work to chart a course forward starting with the allocation of funds already approved by City Council.”
On July 1st, 2024, City Council approved the Assistance for Persons with AIDS Trust Fund to assist organizations who may be impacted by HOPWA Modernization.
“We are thankful for the Mayor and City Council’s commitment to this work and appreciate the creation of this trust fund,” said Jeff Graham. “Under their leadership, we have seen the City set the HOPWA program on the right course, but we know that the City will need support of the rest of the metro area in these efforts. I hope that the surrounding cities and counties will step up and support HOPWA and the community to the same level. And Georgia Equality looks forward to partnering with Atlanta leadership to gain the support we need from surrounding cities and counties to meet the needs of those served by HOPWA throughout the 29-county region.”
The City is responsible for administering the HOPWA program for Atlanta as well an additional 29-county region. The recommendations encourage the Mayor to establish dedicated lines of communication with the other counties and cities in that region, specifically around addressing the impacts of HOPWA Modernization and the larger needs of the HIV/AIDS community.
Under the leadership of Commissioner Deborah Lonon, the City’s Department of Grants and Community Development has eliminated the backlog of HOPWA reimbursements, appropriately allocated all funds and removed all HUD conditions on the HOPWA program. This turnaround has received recognition from HUD for their efforts and DGCD has become a national example of how to appropriately administer this and other HUD entitlement programs.
“I’m thankful for the leadership of Commissioner Lonon, for her team, and for HUD recognizing their work and dedication in ensuring our HOPWA program is consistent and a reliable source of hope for those who need it most,” said Mayor Dickens.
On June 28th, HUD officials announced several Housing Innovations (HINT) grants to various organizations. Two Atlanta-based organizations, AID Atlanta and Positive Impact Health Centers, received $2.5 million each to supplement their work to provide housing and support to low-income people with HIV. These HINT grants were given to organizations who have shown best practices in the field. HUD officials not only praised the City of Atlanta for its work, but also the work of both Positive Impact Health Centers and AID Atlanta.
“AID Atlanta is thrilled to receive the HINT grant from HUD. We are appreciative of the leadership of the Mayor and his efforts to ensure that the housing needs of people living with HIV in this community are being served to the greatest extent possible,” said Nicole Roebuck. “We will continue to partner with the Mayor and his team and work together on innovative solutions that will promote housing stability amongst our community. I applaud the Mayor for accepting the recommendations of the HOPWA Modernization Task force and for already beginning to implement some of the recommendations. The work of the task force is only the next step of many to ensuring we truly meet the need that exists in our city.”
The recommendations also recommend a continued shift away from rental based assistance and toward providing resources to purchase or build housing units. Several HOPWA service providers have already begun this transition and have seen significant cost savings allowing them to more effectively serve the community.
“Status: Home has been an eager participant in the task force and remains greatly appreciative that Mayor Dickens accepted our suggestion for its creation,” said Maryum Lewis. “While working on the task force, we have simultaneously been working on a $28M initiative, with the City of Atlanta, which will transform housing for over 250 people living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS in Atlanta, which is just one more demonstration of the City of Atlanta’s commitment to this important work. We look forward to working with the administration to ensure that these projects can continue and charting a path towards an Atlanta where every person living with HIV/AIDS has a safe and affordable home.”
Mayor Dickens will continue to work with HUD and our federal delegation to advocate for changes to the funding formula and other direct allocations to support the needs of Atlanta’s HIV/AIDS community.