Bay area group receives $1.3-million grant to help AIDS patients

Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services plans to use it to assist with rent, mortgages and utilities.

TAMPA - Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services has received a $1.3-million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help people with HIV and AIDS.

The funding is part of $18.7-million awarded to 16 programs nationwide through HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson made the announcement Wednesday at the AIDS Memorial Park in Tampa. He noted that it came the day before people worldwide recognize World AIDS Day.

"It's a day that symbolizes the global fight against HIV (and) AIDS," he said.

The Tampa Bay area has the third highest number of HIV and AIDS cases in Florida and ranks 17th among U.S. metropolitan areas, said Michael Bernstein, chief executive officer of Clearwater's Gulf Coast.

The group will use the grant to provide rental, mortgage and utility help to 100 households affected by AIDS in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties. The project targets ex-offenders, thechronically homeless and those at imminent risk of homelessness.

"There are real people who are hurt by this illness and we need to not forget them," Bernstein said.

Much of the organization's AIDS-related services are provided through the Tampa Bay AIDS Network, formerly the Tampa AIDS Network, which merged with Gulf Coast in 2002.

Gulf Coast has more than 500 employees and offers services in 12 counties. In addition to AIDS-related programs, its work includes services for the mentally ill and pregnant teens.

The city of Tampa, which each year distributes $3-million in HUD money to nonprofit agencies that provide housing to people with AIDS, coapplied for the grant. It marked the first time a bay area agency received one of the grants.

Joining Jackson at the event were Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Sen. Mel Martinez, a former secretary of HUD.

"Today we're dealing with one of those issues that's easily forgotten," Martinez said.

HUD's grant program represents only a small part of the department's budget, he said, but "it takes care of those who fall through the cracks."

Affordable housing is hard to find all over Florida because of a growing population and damage done to homes during hurricanes.

It's even more problematic for AIDS patients, who are hit with expensive medical bills.

"This program touches people whose lives are disrupted because of their illness, and it provides them with the most basic of needs, which is housing." he said. "When you're sick, having a place to live becomes fundamental."

--Janet Zink can be reached at 813 226-3401 or jzink@sptimes.com

Tampa Bay headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright