The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is using $5 billion in American Rescue Plan funds to help those facing homelessness.

HUD is providing 70,000 housing choice vouchers through its Emergency Housing Voucher program. This will help local public housing authorities around the country help people at risk of homelessness find and remain in housing. You can find a full list of the initial allocations here.

“While most of us spent more time in our homes than we ever have, more than half a million Americans had to spend the last year either in crowded shelters or sleeping outside,” says HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “With HUD’s swift allocation of this $5 billion in American Rescue Plan funding, we are providing communities the resources to give homes to the people who have had to endure the COVID-19 pandemic without one.”

In addition, leaders across the country are praising the announcement. Senator Patty Murray says, “the legislation we sent to President Biden’s desk is making an important difference in people’s lives, especially for people of color who have felt the disproportionate impact of this crisis. We’re making real progress to get our communities back to normal.”

Moreover, praise is also coming from leaders on the local level as well.

“The Biden-Harris Administration gets it — housing is infrastructure. Our homelessness crisis requires a bold, multi-faceted response,” says Mayor Libby Schaff of Oakland, California. The mayor of Dallas, Texas also agrees. “The best way to address homelessness is to prevent it, and the American Rescue Plan Act emergency vouchers that the Biden Administration is allocating will provide a major boost to our efforts,” says Mayor Eric Johnson.

As a matter of fact, HUD estimates the emergency housing vouchers, along with resources from the CARES Act, could help up house 130,000 American households. This week’s announcement comes one month after HUD announced American Rescue Plan funds would be used to increase affordable housing to help address homelessness. Navigate Affordable Housing Partners also has rental assistance options available if you or someone you know is struggling through the pandemic.