Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS [HOPWA]
Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids (HOPWA) is a housing assistance program for people living with HIV in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens Counties.HOPWA provides short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to prevent homelessness and assistance with rent and utility deposits for permanent housing placement.
OPTIONS
PROGRAMS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
Housing Counseling/Budgeting
Our Housing Case Manager can work with you to determine an affordable rent based upon your monthly household income and expenses. This information is helpful when searching for affordable housing for you and your family.
Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, Utility (STRMU)
+ Must be <80% of Area Median Income
You may find yourself in a financial bind due to loss of income, and your rent is due in two weeks. Upstate Housing may be able to help with short-term assistance with rent, mortgage or utility payments. There are restrictions and eligibility requirements. [See eligibility section]
Housing Placement/Deposits
If circumstances are such that you need to find somewhere else to live, Upstate Housing may be able to assist you with deposits for rent and utilities. There are restrictions and eligibility requirements. [See eligibility section]
Tenant Based Rental Assistance Voucher (TBRA)
(limited availability)
Upstate Housing participates in a rent assistance program to subsidize rent payments for clients who qualify. This program has a limited availability.
RESIDENCE FACILITIES/GROUP LIVING
The Laurel
An 11-bed residence facility includes meals, 24-hour supervision, private bedrooms, shared baths, and laundry on site. Applicants must be in case management for 60 days before being eligible and must be able to perform ADLs. The application process requires a clear drug screen; background checks free of violent or sexual crimes, medical clearance, and Mental Health assessment. Residents must pay 30% of their income as rent.
Stephens House
This is a seven-bed transitional housing facility for people with HIV. Residents prepare meals—food is not included. Laundry facilities are on site. Limited supervision. It is convenient to Downtown Greenville and bus lines. Project Care owns and manages the Stephens House and individual home sites, which may also be available. Residents of the Stephens House or individual homes must pay 30% of their income as rent.
ELIGIBILITY
Client status
Must be enrolled in AID Upstate’s Medical Case Management program.
Proof of hardship
Document an unexpected loss of income or unexpected expense that has made it difficult to pay rent, mortgage, or utilities for a short period of time;
Provide proof of income loss or unexpected expense;
Offer a viable plan for maintaining future household expenses and provide income documentation.
Homeless Clients
Clients who are homeless or temporarily housed seeking deposit assistance must be approved by a landlord to rent a property, and demonstrate housing expenses will be affordable, based on the client’s income.
LIMITS
Program Limitations
If you meet the eligibility requirements listed in the Eligibility section, you can receive no more than 21 weeks of rent, mortgage, and utility assistance per 12 months; OR assistance with deposits once every 12 months.
The Upstate Housing HOPWA program is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through grants to the City of Greenville and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC-DHEC).