The Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program helps people living with HIV access safe, stable housing. Our goal is to prevent homelessness, support housing stability, and improve overall well-being. This program is client-centered, supportive, and focused on helping you maintain a place to call home.
What is HOPWA & Who Qualifies?
Program Overview
The Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program is a federal housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program helps people living with HIV maintain stable housing and prevent homelessness. MVAP is a HOPWA Grantee, meaning we receive these federal funds directly from HUD and administer housing services for eligible households in our communities.
HOPWA Program Services
The HOPWA Program offers a range of support services designed to help people living with HIV access care, maintain stability, and meet essential daily needs. Our team works with each client individually to understand their situation and connect them with the services that will be most helpful.
Permanent Housing Placement
Permanent Housing Placement (PHP) helps individuals move into stable housing. This assistance may help cover costs related to securing housing, such as application fees, security
deposits, or other move-in expenses. The goal is to help individuals living with HIV transition into permanent, stable housing.
STRMU
STRMU, or Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance, provides short-term financial assistance to help prevent someone from losing their housing. This assistance can help cover past-due rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills during a temporary financial hardship. The goal is to help individuals remain safely housed and avoid eviction or homelessness.
Supportive Services
Supportive Services help individuals maintain stable housing and stay connected to care. These services may include case management, food and nutrition support, transportation assistance for medical appointments, referrals to community resources, and other services that help individuals living with HIV remain healthy and securely housed.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) is a housing voucher program similar to Section 8. This program helps eligible households pay a portion of their monthly rent so they can afford stable housing in the community. Participants typically pay a portion of their rent based on their income, while the HOPWA program helps cover the remaining amount.
You can apply online using this form or contact one of our offices to get started. If you leave a message on our
general voicemail, a staff member will return your call to schedule an appointment. You may also contact our Housing Coordinator directly at 603-623-0710 ext. 104.
When you connect with our team, we will ask for some basic information and may request documents to help determine eligibility, such as:
- Proof of income (if applicable)
- Proof of New Hampshire residency
- Documentation of your HIV diagnosis
Please note that reaching out does not require you to have all documents ready. If you’re missing anything, we will work with you to gather what’s needed or discuss alternative
options.
Our team will guide you through the process and help determine whether you qualify for HOPWA services or other housing resources available in the community.
What Happens Next?
Once you connect with us:
- A staff member will speak with you to understand your housing needs
- We will review your eligibility for HOPWA and other housing programs
- If eligible, we will guide you through the application and enrollment process
- We will connect you to additional housing supports and community resources as needed
Our goal is to make the process simple, supportive, and focused on helping you access safe, stable housing.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for HOPWA, we encourage you to reach out. Our team can review your situation, walk you through the eligibility requirements, and help you understand
what options may be available to you.
Even if you do not qualify for HOPWA, we can help connect you to other housing resources in the community. This may include local housing programs, rental assistance opportunities, and
supportive services that can help you find and maintain stable housing.
At MVAP, we work with each person individually to explore every available option. Our goal is to help you access safe, stable housing and the support you need to move forward.
Your Privacy Matters
We understand that privacy is especially important when it comes to HIV. Your HIV status and personal information are kept strictly confidential, and MVAP follows all federal and state privacy laws to protect your information.