Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA)

Grantee and Community Profile

KEY FACTS
Service Area:
State of South Carolina

Grant:
Formula

Allocations:
FY 2000 $1,402,000
FY 2001 $1,614,000
FY 2002 $1,041,000
FY 2003 $1,117,000
FY 2004 $1,387,000
FY 2005 $1,356,000
FY 2006 $1,387,000
FY 2007 $1,403,000

South Carolina has experienced a 131% increase of all persons living with HIV/AIDS from 1998 to 2002, with an increase in the number of women during this time, increasing the demand for housing services.

Contact Information:
Noreen O’Donnell
South Carolina Dept. of Health & Environmental Control,
STD/HIV Division
Mills/Jarrett Complex
Box 101106
Columbia, SC 29211

Phone: 803-898-0198
FAX: 803-898-3100

The Statewide HOPWA program is administered by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), STD/HIV Division.  DHEC distributes the funds to regional Ryan White Care Providers and/or eligible non-profit organizations that assist persons with HIV/AIDS.

South Carolina has experienced a 77% increase of all persons living with HIV/AIDS from 1995 to 2005.  More dramatic, there has been over a 100% increase in the number of women living at the end of 2005 compared with the number living in 1995. 

The increase in the number of women during this time means we have experienced increased demands for health care and housing services.  As of December 31, 2006, there were an estimated 14,039 persons living with HIV/AIDS in the state.  Forty three percent of persons living with HIV are estimated to be unemployed, although women are more likely than men to be unemployed (45% vs. 41%).  Nearly half of women living with HIV/AIDS (42%) earn less than $10,000 annually.


Program Accomplishments

The Statewide Comprehensive Plan developed in 2006 identified the following housing issues:

HOPWA funds are used to provide short-term emergency housing payments (STRMU) and supportive services to prevent homelessness, tenant based rental assistance (TBRA), and operating funds for transitional housing. During FY 2006-2007, 113 households were served with TBRA; over 1500 households received STRMU and other supportive services such as case management or transportation. Sixteen households resided in units supported with HOPWA operating funds and twelve households resided in units of housing developed with HOPWA funds during the last ten years and continue to house individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Case management is an important component of South Carolina's HOPWA continuum of care. Trends in the epidemic indicate that over the next 5 -10 years there is an urgent need for more affordable housing on a long term basis, particularly housing in areas that provide a safe, healthy environment for families or women with children.

The project sponsors of the state South Carolina HOPWA program are: 

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Technical Assistance for Service Providers