AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #40 - The Poenix rising HIV/AIDS re-entry/homebuyer project: “homeownership: the forgotten option”
Authors: Presenting Author: Ms Lori Stevens - The Housing Trust
Additional Authors: Mr. Michael Smith,
Aim: The Phoenix Rising HIV/AIDS Re-entry/First-Time Homebuyer project is designed to foster independence, empowerment and self-sufficiency through education, financial assistance, and housing support. An improved prospect for longevity shifts the focus to more future-based activities, permanent housing, and planning. The approach recognizes the uniqueness of each client’s situation and custom tailors a wellness and housing stability plan that may include some or all of the following: work/school goals, vocational training, financial/credit repair, benefits counseling, and fulfilling a desire to achieve homeownership.
Method / Issue: The Housing Trust operates one of the most innovative and the only homebuyer program in the country for people living with HIV/AIDS since 1998. The Housing Trust’s Housing Opportunity for People Living with AIDS (HOPWA) program recognizes the importance of housing security and the essential link between stable housing and a person's health and well-being. It sees homeownership as a do-able, integral part of the HIV/AIDS housing continuum.
Results / Comments: LESSON LEARNED: • Renewed sense of self-worth and self-confidence occurs immediately through feeling productive and engaged. Increased self-worth and self-esteem may reduce risky behaviors. • The monthly mortgage payment is approximately 30% of the individual’s monthly income, similar to most rental assistance programs. The monthly mortgage payment is often times less than their rent payment. • Long-term benefit – the monthly mortgage payment will never increase for the life of that mortgage, usually 30 years (excluding increases in taxes and insurances). Rents always increase and, as with lease renewals, are at the whim of the landlords. • Including home ownership on the HIV/AIDS housing continuum relieves the strain on other housing assistance programs and, in some cases, is a more viable option for certain clients.
Discussion: RECOMMENDATIONS: • Region-specific replication – workshops and sufficient education and training to AIDS Service Organizations to develop and incorporate a similar project in order to assists clients to develop long-term wellness plans and to include homeownership as an option in their housing stability planning. • Resource and program identification – identify and locate affordable housing programs that offer similar assistance. For example other homeownership assistance sources may include: - Local Housing Authorities and Cities; - Nonprofit Housing Counseling Agencies; - HUD/HOPWA Offices; - State Housing Finance Agencies; - Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac; - First-time Homebuyer Assistance Programs.
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