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Picture 1:
Painting by resident, James
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Belle Reve is a
nonprofit organization with 501(c)3
status, and, as such, receives funding from many sources. Funding sources
fall into the following categories.
Federal Funding:
Belle Reve receives federal funding, which is first awarded to the City of
New Orleans or a large nonprofit, and then administered to nonprofits and
grassroots organizations who directly serve the designated group of needy
persons, addressing specific problems. Belle Reve receives these funds both
directly from the City and also from larger nonprofit activist groups that
contract smaller nonprofits and grassroots to perform certain tasks.
Federal funding is applied for by the City of New Orleans or a collaborative
of nonprofits through a “Super NOFA” (Super
Notice of Funding Availability), on behalf of the organizations that
serve the AIDS community in New Orleans. Federal monies are distributed
through a “points” system, in which the government attempts to match
funding with need, according to the number of AIDS survivors served and the
appropriate ratio of services for that population. Through this process,
government funding unites several nonprofits serving a specific community
to provide a complimentary package of services, giving a community the
potential to receive the most complete services possible. The network of
organizations is able to provide referrals to other needed services as is
appropriate, allowing the needy to be directed to all needed services.
Although housing is a priority, federal dollars are allocated for support
services, such as utility assistance, medical care, mental health services,
case management, dental and prescription services, substance abuse
treatment, transportation, childcare, job training and placement, and more.
Belle Reve prides itself on being an integral part of these federally
supported partnered services, providing permanent and transitional housing,
assisted living facilities, and substance abuse counseling, while referring
out to other services.
Belle Reve’s sources of
federal funding include the following:
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HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Person with AIDS)
HOPWA is a HUD (Department
of Housing and Urban Development) endeavor, designed to address the
specific needs of persons with AIDS and their families. HOPWA provides
housing assistance and related supportive services to low-income members
of the HIV/AIDS community. Administered by the City of New Orleans, HOPWA
provides Belle Reve with operational funds, providing money for staff and
employees. To find out more about HOPWA programs and funding, visit their website.
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Ryan White CARE Act
The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act is federal
legislation that addresses the unmet health needs of persons living with
HIV disease (PLWH) by funding primary health care and support services.
The CARE Act was named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager whose
courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS and against AIDS-related discrimination
helped educate the nation. Title I of the Ryan White CARE Act provides
emergency assistance to Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMAs) that are most
severely affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Administered by the City of New
Orleans, Belle Reve receives Title I funding to provide transitional
housing to PLWH. For more information on Ryan White Title I funding and
programs, visit Ryan White
Title 1. This year, Belle Reve’s Ryan White funding was reduced
because of the City of New Orleans receiving less funding from the
federal government, and because housing is not the main priority for Ryan
White. Any cuts in funding affect Belle Reve drastically.
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HOPWA Special Programs of National Significance (SPNS)
The overall housing goal of this HIV/AIDS program is to increase the
availability and types of housing for persons who are HIV infected,
including group homes; community residences; and emergency short-term
rent, mortgage, and utility assistance payments. Belle Reve receives
HOPWA SPNS funding through Unity for the Homeless. Unity’s goals are to assist
homeless persons to become self-sufficient and regain self-esteem; to
engage in planning and policy evaluation efforts to maximize the use of
existing resources; to allow for a systemic approach for tapping
significant new funds and encouraging collaborative efforts; and to
advocate for policy changes affecting homelessness. Each year, Unity
applies for HOPWA SPNS funding as the lead nonprofit, with six local
nonprofits and grassroots organizations working under their wing, to
create a collaboration of services. Under this contract, Belle Reve
provides substance abuse counseling with the Recovery Readiness Program, a Harm
Reduction Model, serving to help those with substance abuse issues to
discontinue their most damaging behaviors while on the road to recovery.
To find out more about HOPWA SPNS, please click here to visit their website. This year,
Unity for the Homeless reapplied to renew the HOPWA SPNS funding, only to
find that the program has placed severe limitations on funding for
supportive services. The funding has been reapplied for, however, since
HOPWA SPNS money is ear-marked for the Recovery Readiness Program (a
supportive service), funding will most likely be cut in any future award.
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Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
The EFSP was created by Congress in 1983 to help meet the needs of hungry
and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by
allocating funds for the provision of food and shelter. To accomplish
this, the program supplements the work of local agencies already
providing such help at the community level. Belle Reve receives funding
for providing emergency shelter through the EFSP. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) oversees the EFSP. FEMA is an independent
agency of the federal government, whose mission is to reduce loss of life
and property and protect our nation’s critical infrastructure from all
types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency
management program of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
For more information on the EFSP, please click here
to visit their website.
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