Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Subaward Not-for Profit Service Contract with Equitas Health, Inc. to provide community services related to the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 in an amount of up to $1,109,055.00 utilizing the 2023 and 2024 HOPWA entitlement grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and to declare an emergency.
Historically the HOPWA grant has been managed and administrated by Columbus Public Health (CPH). Starting with the 2022 grant year funds, the HOPWA grant is being managed and administered by the Department of Development (DOD), Division of Housing.
The HOPWA program provides for the implementation of long-term comprehensive strategies for meeting the housing needs of low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. Eligible services/activities include providing housing information services; resource identification; acquisition, rehabilitation, conversion, lease, and repair of facilities to provide housing and services; new construction of housing units; project or tenant based rental assistance; short term rent, mortgage, and utility payments; supportive services; technical assistance and administrative support.
Equitas Health, Inc. will provide housing assistance and services to low-income individuals and/or households living with HIV/AIDS. We are funding this program to help ensure that PLWHA (Persons Living with HIV/AIDS) have stable, safe, decent, affordable, and sanitary housing. As housing is also a social determinant of health, funding this program can help support physical, mental, and behavioral health for PLWHA and help the EHE (Ending HIV Epidemic) Initiative. Funding will be used for long term and short-term rental assistance, short term mortgage and utility assistance, non-housing supportive services, and administration of the program. This pr...
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