Help for individuals living with HIV/AIDS

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced that the Frannie Peabody Center and the City of Portland will be getting $2.7 million from HUD’s Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. These grants provide people living with HIV /AIDS assistance with rent, mortgage and utilities as well as supportive services. The grants target low income Mainers living with HIV as well as HIV positive immigrants, refugees and minorities who need housing assistance in the City of Portland.

“The grant money will help the City of Portland and the Frannie Peabody Center provide critically needed services to those who need help the most, and provides a considerable investment in the local housing market.”  Pingree said. “Research shows that people with stable housing are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and more likely to reduce HIV risk than those who are homeless.”
 
Patti Capouch, Executive Director of the Frannie Peabody Center, said the organization served close to 250 Mainers living with HIV last year in their housing program.
 
“The renewal of these grants allows us to continue working with our clients on issues related to their health care and other serious issues.  Knowing that they have a roof over their head offers a homeless client a chance to focus on their medical care and other serious issues,” Capouch said. “Something as simple as having a refrigerator to store medications instead of keeping them in a bag on the street makes such a huge difference.”