The City of Mount Vernon received HOPWA funds, a federally funded program, under the New York City Grant Application as part of the Eligible Metropolitan Statistical Area (EMSA). This program is one of only four nationwide. The program has been instrumental in assisting families who are precariously perched on the brink of homelessness maintain their housing and assist those in substandard housing improve their living conditions.

Having the capacity to serve 120 families, the HOPWA case management program served 105 persons last year and had over 12,000 contacts with clients and community service agencies. HOPWA provides a continuum of services to ensure persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families secure and maintain appropriate and stable housing. Case managers connect clients with medical, legal, financial, mental health, substance use, vocational, life skills, housing retention, crisis intervention and pastoral counseling programs that serve to empower persons living with HIV/AIDS.

In an effort to empower program participants HOPWA will continue to connect those receiving rental assistance to vocational training programs. This will allow for new participants to enter the program, as others work towards self-sufficiency.