Gov. Blagojevich announces more than $2.4 million to provide housing services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today $2,425,000 in housing grants to 16 community based organizations across Illinois to provide housing services for individuals living with HIV or AIDS.  The grants will be used to provide lodging and meals to residents; rehabilitation and facility repair; operating costs including maintenance, security, insurance, utility, furnishings, equipment and supplies; and supportive services such as case management, mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment.

"Many men and women infected with HIV/AIDS are at risk of losing their homes because of high medical costs. These grants will allow us to help dozens of individuals keep a place they can call their own while they fight against this devastating disease," said Gov. Blagojevich.

"Housing is an important piece of containing the HIV epidemic by ensuring that low-income people living with HIV are in a safe living environment," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Whitaker.  "These housing grants are necessary for the Illinois Department of Public Health's efforts in addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable access to services for people living with HIV/AIDS."

"According to a recent study, people who are not properly housed are sixteen times more likely to have HIV/AIDS," said Reverend Stan Sloan, Chicago House and Social Services Agency Chief Executive Officer.  "The need for HIV/AIDS housing continues to skyrocket and this grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health will help Chicago House reduce that need in the City of Chicago."

Recent studies confirm that persons living with HIV/AIDS must have stable housing to access comprehensive healthcare and adhere to complex HIV/AIDS therapies.  Despite the link between stable housing and medical services, the wait for affordable housing continues to rise. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health has awarded the federal HUD Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grants since 1996.

Those receiving grants through a competitive bid process were:

Other Illinois Department of Public Health HIV/AIDS assistance programs include:

• AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) - Approximately 3,000 clients use ADAP each month accessing 8,500 prescriptions.  ADAP provides 81 different drugs, including all anti-retroviral therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Eligible applicants have a gross income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

• BASUAH - Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS - BASUAH is a comprehensive HIV/AIDS awareness campaign to address the alarming trend of infection among the state's African-American community.  Through community outreach, testing and positive peer influence, our mission is to reduce new cases of HIV/AIDS while empowering people with the knowledge to better protect themselves.

• Minority AIDS Prevention - Located in the Center for Minority Health Services in IDPH, Minority AIDS Prevention programs target communities of color, including African Americans, Hispanics and Asians, and are a top priority of the state's HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. 

• African American HIV/AIDS Response Fund - Currently in the process of adopting rules to award $3 million in grants to groups in Illinois to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

For more information call the Illinois HIV/AIDS and STD hotline at 1-800-243-2437 between 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. on weekends.