Congressman Carson Announces the Damien Center and City of Indianapolis as Recipients of $1.4M Federal Grant

March 30, 2012

Congressman André Carson Announces the Damien Center and City of Indianapolis as Recipients of $1.4 Million Federal Grant

INDIANAPOLIS – Congressman André Carson today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $1.4 million grant to the City of Indianapolis, which will benefit the Damien Center, a local organization serving persons in Central Indiana who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

Federal funds will go to the Damien Center's Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program, an initiative that provides long-term housing assistance and the needed link from possible eviction and homelessness to secured, proper housing and improved health management.

"Housing is vital to maintaining and improving health, especially for those living with HIV," said Thomas Bartenbach, Executive Director of The Damien Center. "The Shelter Plus Care award will allow The Damien Center to provide housing stability for our most vulnerable homeless neighbors, helping them achieve greater self-sufficiency, improving their health outcomes, and in turn, improving the overall health of our community."

The $1.4 million grant was awarded through HUD's Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance program, which provides awards annually through a national competition. The City of Indianapolis will administer the funds through the Department of Metropolitan Development.

"We are proud to be a part of the Damien Center's program and this represents another source of assistance in the continuum of care for people with HIV and AIDS who are homeless," said Julie Fidler, Human Services Grant Manager with the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development. "The money will provide assistance for 35 units of shelter plus care over a five year period. The funds will also be leveraged with other supportive services to help stabilize people and maintain housing."

Congressman Carson, who submitted a letter of support for the grant application, stated, "For 25 years, the Damien Center has served Hoosiers affected by HIV/AIDS with relentless fervor, providing valuable services that empower and uplift. These funds will strengthen their efforts and widen their impact as they strive for a community free of the suffering caused by HIV/AIDS."

About the Damien Center

The mission of The Damien Center is to lead the fight to prevent the spread of HIV and to empower persons in Central Indiana affected by HIV/AIDS to move forward each day with dignity. The Damien Center offers vital supportive services to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS so they may live abundant and productive lives. They provide comprehensive HIV prevention services, including HIV testing, prevention counseling, education, and advocacy. In 2011, more than 5,000 people in Central Indiana were served through agency programs and activities.

For more information, visit their website here.