Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) Overview

The City of Baltimore’s Mayor’s Office of Human Services (MOHS) is the HOPWA Grantee for the Baltimore Eligible Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Baltimore EMSA covers Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, and Queen Anne’s County. 

The Baltimore EMSA provides rental assistance and supportive services to eligible low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The goal for HOPWA in the Baltimore EMSA is to provide persons living with HIV/AIDS with a stable living environment to gain better access to care. We understand that housing is healthcare, and HOPWA-supported services allow this to be a reality.

Learn more about the HOPWA Program on the HUD Exchange.

Purpose

The AIDS Housing Opportunity Act of 1992, was purposed to provide states and localities with the resources and incentives to develop long-term strategies to meet the housing needs of persons with AIDS. The Act made it possible for PLWHA to obtain safe, decent, and sanitary housing along with the supportive services necessary to maintain housing stability and enhanced their quality of life. Stable housing and supportive services have proved to be necessary for PLWHA to participate fully in community living.

HOPWA Regulations

• Eligibility Requirements & Activites
• HOPWA Performance Management and Monitoring
• 24 CFA, Part 574.3: Client Eligibility
• 24 CFR, Part 57: Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS - these HOPWA regulations provide information on formula entitlements, competitive grants, use of grant funds, grantee and sponsor responsibilities, grant administration, and other federal requirements.
• 24 CFR, Part 5.20009: Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking

Grantee Oversight of Project Sponsors

• The HOPWA Grantee Oversight Resource Guide provides HOPWA formula and competitive grantees with detailed guidance in fulfilling HOPWA grants management responsibilities regarding the oversight of project sponsors.

Annual Progress Report

All project sponsors are required to submit an Annual Progress Report (APR), also Exhibit F of all HOPWA sub-recipient contracts. 

Other Regulatory Requirements and Guidance

24 CFR, Part 91: HUD regulations define the consolidated planning process, which is required for all formula grants.

24 CFR, Part 5.111: HUD regulations defining Housing information service provided under HOPWA.

24 CFR, Part 5.403: HUD regulations defining a family.

24 CFR, Part 5.609: HUD regulations define the elements of a household’s annual income that must be counted in determining income eligibility for HOPWA and other HUD programs.

24 CFR, Part 5.611: HUD regulations defining calculating the family’s monthly adjusted income and required deductions.

24 CFR, Part 5.617: HUD regulations defining earned income disallowance (EID).

24 CFR, Part 5.2005: HUD regulations define the protections for participants under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

24 CFR, Part 5.2009 (a): HUD regulations defining remaining participants following bifurcation of a lease or eviction as a result of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

24 CFR, Part 58: HUD regulations defining the environmental review process.

24 CFR, Part 5.2005(e): HUD regulations define the data reporting requirement for emergency transfers made pertaining to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

28 CFR, Part 35 and 36: Americans with Disabilities Act and implementing regulations

2 CFR, Part 200: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

2 CFR, Part 200.318: Conflict of interest requirements

Fire Administration Authorization Act of 1992

Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (LBPPA) of 1973

HUD’s 1999, “Guidance on the Restricted Use of HOPWA Funds for AIDS Drug Assistance and Other Health Care Costs” 

HOPWA Competitive Application Process

Every January, MOHS announces the release of the Consolidated Funding Application for the upcoming City Fiscal Year.  It’s during this time new and renewing HOPWA applicants are able to submit project proposals for funding.  Projects are selected based on the project’s relevance to the assessed community needs, established priorities, and availability of funding.

Only eligible organizations can apply for funding awards.  Prior to awarding any agency, MOHS will verify compliance with each of the following items below.

Eligible organizations are:

• A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt or another city agency;
• In good standing with the State of Maryland (certificate of Good Standing can be obtained through the Department of Taxation website);
• Must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and have an active DUNS number; and
• Must have two years of the most recent A-133 financial audits (renewal projects that do not have audits may submit two most recent years of accountant-prepared financial statements).