FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
Angel Zayon,
Director
Phone: 305.416.1440
azayon@miamigov.com
CONTACT: Christine Bermudez Sola
Dept. of Community Development
Phone: (305)416-2096
cbermudez@miamigov.com
THE CITY OF MIAMI AND ITS DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RECOGNIZE WORLD AIDS DAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
Miami, FL (November 30, 2010 ) -- The City of Miami and its Department of Community Development join the Miami-Dade County AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) community in recognizing December 1, 2010 as World AIDS Day, along with commemorating December as National AIDS Awareness Month. The Department of Community Development administers the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Long Term Rental Assistance (LTRA) program, which provides rental assistance to approximately 1,000 low-income persons living with AIDS in Miami-Dade County.
“Although great strides have been made in the fight against AIDS, there is still more to be done. On December 1st, the City recognizes and honors all of those who fought and lost the battle against this disease in our community and in communities around the world,” said City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado.
The World Health Organization established the World AIDS Day observance in 1988. The World AIDS Day Community Calendar, including South Florida events surrounding AIDS Awareness Month, is available at www.dadehealth.org as well as www.wemakethechange.com.
“The City is aware of the need for increased HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in our community. We join the families and friends of those who have lost their lives to this pandemic in honoring the memory of their loved ones,” said George Mensah, Director of the City’s Department of Community Development.
The HOPWA program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), provides states and localities with resources to devise long-term comprehensive strategies for meeting the housing needs of low-income persons with (AIDS) or related diseases and their families. The HOPWA Program administered by the City of Miami serves all residents of Miami-Dade County. The City works with all levels of government, service providers, consumers and the private sector in developing resources and services, particularly housing and social services for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PWAs). The City’s HOPWA LTRA program is currently working through its last waitlist of applicants. For more information on the City’s program, please visit www.miamigov.com/communitydevelopment/pages/housing/hopwaMain.asp. For additional information on the HOPWA program, please visit www.hud.gov.