The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is sending millions in funding to local officials across the country to help people with disabilities access housing in their communities.

The agency said this month that it’s awarding $24.7 million to 98 local public housing authorities in order to provide permanent affordable housing to those with disabilities.

As many as 2,210 families are expected to benefit from the funding, federal officials said.

“People with disabilities deserve access to affordable housing that meets their needs,” said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge. “Today’s funding is an important step forward — one that will help more persons with disabilities serve as fully integrated members of their communities and allow them to live independently and with dignity.”

The funding is being made available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 811 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program. It’s aimed at helping non-elderly people with disabilities who are transitioning from institutions or other isolated settings as well as those at risk of institutionalization or homelessness.

Local public housing authorities are expected to work with community partners like centers for independent living, state protection and advocacy agencies and Medicaid agencies to help with the application and housing search process, federal housing officials said.

Given the state of the rental market, HUD included extra funding dubbed “extraordinary administrative fees” to account for security deposits, vacancy payments and other costs to ensure that families can successfully use the vouchers.

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