Federal officials are funneling millions of dollars into new housing opportunities for people with disabilities across the nation.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said it is making available nearly $77 million to support as many as 8,300 housing vouchers for this population.

The funding for what’s known as the Section 811 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program was announced late last month and is part of the CARES Act, a large coronavirus relief package approved by Congress in March.

“As we continue to fight this invisible enemy, we are working quickly and effectively to ensure public housing authorities nationwide are receiving the necessary funding needed to keep their residents safe,” said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson. “This wave of relief funds will provide additional housing choice vouchers to residents living with disabilities, allowing them to live safely and independently through these unprecedented times.”

The new housing vouchers will ensure that more people with disabilities can reside in community-based settings as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, officials said.

HUD is distributing the funds to local housing agencies in nearly every state which are being encouraged to partner with health and human service agencies to coordinate services and supports so that people with disabilities can live independently.