Millions of dollars are headed to communities across the country to provide affordable housing to people with disabilities, federal officials say.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said late last month that it’s awarding $131.3 million to 325 local public housing authorities in nearly every state from New York to Hawaii. The money is expected to help approximately 15,363 people with disabilities access housing.

“At HUD we’re committed to ensuring people with disabilities have a decent, safe and affordable place to live,” said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson. “The funding … allows our local partners to continue helping residents with disabilities live independently.”

The funding is part of the federal agency’s Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program, which sends money to housing agencies nationally to assist non-elderly people with disabilities.

In particular, federal officials said the housing assistance is intended to aid individuals leaving segregated settings, those at risk of institutionalization and people with disabilities who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Housing authorities are encouraged to partner with health and human services agencies to coordinate supports to allow those receiving assistance to live independently in the community, HUD said.

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