For people living with HIV, housing has a profound impact on their health and wellbeing. Matthew 25 is pleased to offer our housing assistance programs to eligible Kentucky patients living within our service area. Our housing assistance ranges from long term to short term as well as one time move in assistance and other housing related supportive services. These assistance programs promote housing stability while working to improve the participant’s quality of life. Matthew 25 housing projects are accomplished through the HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS/HIV) program and HOME TBRA (Tenant Based Rental Assistance) program with funding provided by KHC (Kentucky Housing Corporation) and HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development). Matthew 25 also utilizes Kentucky Part B Housing Services funded by the Ryan White Care Act. These housing services are only provided to eligible Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) recipients.
Patients may utilize our programs based on eligibility, necessity, and the availability of funds. If approved for assistance, patients will work with housing staff to determine which program best fit their needs.
HOPWA
Matthew 25 offers a variety of housing assistance through multiple HOPWA programs.
HOPWA STRMU (Short Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance) is a short-term, needs-based intervention to increase housing stability and prevent homelessness. This program can assist patients who encounter an unexpected financial hardship, such as a higher than average utility bill. STRMU assistance is available for only 21 weeks of any 52-week period.
HOPWA PHP (Permanent Housing Placement) offers one time move in assistance when a patient is seeking permanent housing. To be considered for this program, the applicant must be able to maintain the housing on their own after the initial one-time assistance.
Finally, HOPWA Supportive Services provide a broad range of need-based assistance to support housing stability and positive health outcomes. Housing staff will determine if the patient’s need qualifies for this type of assistance.
Matthew 25’s HOPWA assistance is only available to eligible Kentucky residents living with HIV in Allen, Barren, Breckenridge, Butler, Daviess, Edmonson, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Larue, Logan, Marion, McLean, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Ohio, Simpson, Union, Washington, Warren, and Webster counties.
TBRA – Tenant Based Rental Assistance
For some patients, more intensive housing support is necessary. Tenant Based Rental Assistance is an income-based program that can make up the difference between a participant’s income, and the amount of rent a participant can afford to pay. If eligible, the TBRA Subsidy Program can provide a monthly rental subsidy for up to 12 months. This program operates on availability of funding and may have a waitlist.
Matthew 25’s TBRA assistance is only available to eligible Kentucky residents in Breckenridge, Daviess, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Larue, Marion, McLean, Meade, Nelson, Ohio, Union, Webster, Warren, and Washington counties. People living with HIV and experiencing homelessness are given priority for this program.
Part B Housing Services
Kentucky Part B Housing Services offers limited-short-term assistance to support emergency, temporary, or transitional housing for HIV positive individuals. This temporary housing assistance allows case managers and patients to work together to prevent homelessness and to gain or maintain access to medical care. Patients in Part B Housing Services must participate in housing and medical case management to work toward their short- and long-term goals in order to reach stability.
Matthew 25’s Part B Housing Services are only available to Kentucky residents who are KY Ryan White Part B Program Eligible.