Aid For AIDS
Aid For AIDS is a California-based nonprofit organization, founded in 1983 and dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV (HIV/AIDS) disease. The agency provides a variety of services to impoverished individuals and families that include housing and utility assistance, fresh food, pharmacy assistance, case management, and links to other service providers. Aid For AIDS also serves as a central coordinating agency for the Los Angeles Housing Department administering two Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs from HUD -- the Short Term Rent, Mortgage and Utility (STRMU) program and the Permanent Housing Placement Grants (PHPG) program. The purpose of the STRMU program is to assist persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who are not able to meet their monthly housing expenses, including utilities and rent, due to unexpected situations; the PHPG program provides eligible clients and families with financial assistance for moving into affordable, permanent, subsidized or non-subsidized housing. Both the STRMU and PHPG programs are limited by time periods and maximum grant amounts for individuals and family units. Aid For AIDS has HOPWA affiliations with regional service providers to reach those who are living with HIV/AIDS throughout Los Angeles County. In 2009, Aid For AIDS merged with another non-profit organization, The Serra Project, and both operate under the 501(c)(3) of Serra Ancillary Care Corporation. The merger was featured on the NPR (National Public Radio) program, Marketplace, in December of 2009. Funding for Aid For AIDS is from individual donors, private and corporate foundations, public funds, and fundraising events, including Best In Drag Show an annual, celebrity-supported fundraiser in Los Angeles, California. Aid For AIDS coordinates the memorial plaques and receives funding from the West Hollywood Memorial Walk, a landmark and tribute, jointly developed with The City of West Hollywood.