STD/HIV Program

Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA)

Grantee and Community Profile

KEY FACTS
Service Area:
State of South Carolina

Grant:
Formula

Allocations:
FY 2000 $1,402,000
FY 2001 $1,614,000
FY 2002 $1,041,000
FY 2003 $1,117,000
FY 2004 $1,387,000
FY 2005 $1,356,000
FY 2006 $1,387,000
FY 2007 $1,403,000
FY 2008 $1,491,000
FY 2009 $1,563,881


South Carolina has experienced a 67% increase of all persons living with HIV/AIDS from 1997 to 2007, with an increase in the number of women during this time, increasing the demand for housing services.

Contact Information:
Noreen O’Donnell
South Carolina Dept. of Health & Environmental Control,
STD/HIV Division
Mills/Jarrett Complex
Box 101106
Columbia, SC 29211

Phone: 803-898-0198
FAX: 803-898-3100

The Statewide HOPWA program is administered by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), STD/HIV Division.  DHEC distributes the funds to regional Ryan White Care Providers and/or eligible non-profit organizations that assist persons living with HIV/AIDS.

The number of persons living with HIV/AIDS at the end of each year has increased 67% from 1997 to 2007.  More dramatic, there has been over a 81% increase in the number of HIV infected women living at the end of 2007 compared with the number living in 1997.

The increase in the number of women during this time means we have experienced increased demands for health care and housing services.  As of December 31, 2007, there were an estimated 14,696 persons living with HIV/AIDS in the state.  In 2007, forty three percent of persons living with HIV were estimated to be unemployed, although women were more likely than men to be unemployed (45% vs. 41%).  Nearly half of women living with HIV/AIDS (42%) earn less than $10,000 annually.

The Statewide Comprehensive Plan developed in 2009 identified lack of housing as a hindrance to clients’ ability to access and comply with HIV-related services and treatment because of the relative priority and immediacy individuals place on securing safe, stable housing versus seeking health care, especially if they are asymptomatic.  Activities such as enrolling PLWHA into Housing Case Management, which includes developing individualized client action plans, and developing relationships with local housing experts have been identified in the 2009 Plan to increase the proportion of PLWHA who are stably housed and therefore, improving their ability to access medical care.

Program Accomplishments

HOPWA funds are used to provide Short-Term Rent, Mortgage and Utility payments (STRMU) and supportive services to prevent homelessness, tenant based rental assistance (TBRA), and operating funds for transitional housing. During FY 2008-2009, 135 households were served with TBRA; 899 households received STRMU and other supportive services such as case management or transportation. Thirty-four households resided in facility units supported with HOPWA operating funds and twelve households resided in units of housing developed with HOPWA funds during the last ten years and continue to house individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Case management is an important component of South Carolina's HOPWA continuum of care. Trends in the HIV epidemic indicate that over the next 5 -10 years there is an urgent need for more affordable housing on a long term basis, particularly housing in areas that provide a safe, healthy environment for families or women with children.

The project sponsors of the state South Carolina HOPWA program are: 

  • Piedmont Care
  • AID Upstate
  • Catawba Care Coalition
  • Cooperative Ministry
  • Fort Mill Housing Services, Inc.
  • HopeHealth PeeDee
  • HopeHealth Edisto
  • HopeHealth Lower Savannah
  • ACCESS Network
  • Upper Savannah Care Consortium
  • CARETEAM
  • Sumter Family Health Center
  • Wateree County Health Department
  • University of South Carolina Department of Medicine
Technical Assistance for Service Providers