JOHNSON ANNOUNCES ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2004

Columbus, OH -- State Development Director Bruce Johnson today announced that seven Ohio nonprofit organizations will receive more than $1 million to assist persons with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and their families with housing expenses.

“The Department is committed to providing the financial resources to help individuals with AIDS and their families,” said Johnson. “My hope is that this money will help ease financial concerns and allow these individuals to concentrate on the more important aspects of living with this disease.”

The grant funds will be awarded through the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Program (HOPWA), administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). Award recipients will use the funds to provide rental, mortgage and utility assistance, case management and related services to more than 1,200 households.

The HOPWA Program provides eligible nonprofit organizations and local governments with funds to devise long-term, comprehensive strategies to help meet the housing and supportive service needs of persons with AIDS. To maximize resources, ODOD coordinates the HOPWA Program with the Ohio Department of Health's Ryan White Program.

HOPWA Program applications are reviewed based on need, coordination and linkage with social services, program services, administrative capacity, project design and feasibility.

The seven nonprofit organizations receiving funding are:

AIDS Resource Center Ohio, in Montgomery County, will receive $439,100 to provide rental/mortgage/utility assistance and supportive services to persons living with AIDS and their families in 28 Ohio counties. The funds will assist 400 households.

Area Agency on Aging, District 7, in Gallia County, will receive $51,900 to provide rental/mortgage/utility assistance and supportive services to persons living with AIDS and their families in Fayette, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross and Scioto Counties. The funds will assist 77 households.

Athens AIDS Task Force, in Athens County, will receive a $53,400 to provide rental/mortgage/utility assistance and supportive services to persons living with AIDS and their families in 13 Ohio counties. The funds will assist 35 households.

Community AIDS Network, in Summit County, will receive $174,900 to provide mortgage/utility assistance and supportive services to persons living with AIDS and their families in Medina, Portage and Summit Counties. The funds will assist 185 households.

Community Services of Stark County will receive $56,600 to provide rental/mortgage/utility assistance and supportive services to persons living with AIDS and their families in Carroll, Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne Counties. The funds will assist 56 households.

David's House Compassion, Inc., in Lucas County, will receive $175,000 to provide rental/mortgage/utility assistance and supportive services to persons living with AIDS and their families in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Williams and Wood Counties. The funds will assist 410 households.

Meridian Services, Inc., in Mahoning County, will receive $139,100 to operate Bertram Katz Center and Project Heal, housing dedicated to persons living with AIDS and their families; and provide rental/mortgage/utility assistance to persons living with AIDS and their families in Columbiana, Jefferson and Trumbull Counties. The funds will assist 70 households.