Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that $2.6 million will be distributed to nonprofits and municipalities across the state to help those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless soon.

Municipalities like Tuscaloosa, Florence and Huntsville that received money will then contract with agencies in their cities that were created to help people experiencing homelessness. victims of violence or people who may soon face temporary situations where they may lose their homes.

Funding for this dispersal comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Solutions Grant Program. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grant funds.

“ADECA is excited to be a partner in a program that gives people a helping hand and makes sure they have a roof over their heads, especially as we approach the holiday season,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “ADECA joins the Ivey government in praising organizations whose work is so crucial to helping people facing extraordinary challenges in their lives.”

The ultimate goal of the 12 groups and cities receiving these funds is to operate and improve their homeless shelters while also engaging with those experiencing homelessness to help provide essential services and upon relocation.

The groups and municipalities that benefited from grants are:

The city of Florence – $350,000

The city, in partnership with numerous non-profit agencies, will provide emergency shelter and rapid relocation assistance to victims of domestic violence and others in high need in Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties. Program partners include Northwest Alabama’s Community Action Agency, MOM’s Inc. and the Salvation Army of the Shoals.

City of Huntsville – $300,000

The city will provide street access, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing to homeless and domestic violence victims in Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. Assisting agencies include AshaKiran, Community Action Partnership, Crisis Services Center, Family Services Center Inc. First Stop, Hands Across Decatur, New Futures, North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless and Salvation Army.

The Marshall County Home Place Inc. – $40,000

The organization will provide emergency shelter to homeless families in Marshall County.

Victim Services of Cullman Inc. – $90,000

Victim Services serving Cullman County will provide emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children..

United Way of East Central Alabama – $250,000

United Way will provide emergency shelter and homelessness prevention for people in Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb and Etowah counties.

YWCA of Central Alabama – $300,000

The organization will provide emergency shelter, rapid relocation and prevent homelessness for victims of domestic violence and their children in Jefferson, Blount and St. Clair.

Second Chance – $150,000

The Anniston-based organization will provide emergency shelter and rapid relocation assistance to victims of domestic violence in Calhoun, Cleburne, Etowah and Talladega counties.

City of Tuscaloosa – $220,000

The city will contract with several organizations to provide street access, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, including domestic violence victims in the city. The city is working with the Salvation Army, SAN Inc. (Turning Point) and Temporary Emergency Services Inc.

Shelby County Commission – $174,342

The Shelby County Commission will contract with Family Connection Inc., SafeHouse of Shelby County Inc. and Shelby Emergency Assistance to provide emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Shelby County .

Montgomery Area Domestic Violence Program – $60,000

The program, also called the Family Sunshine Center, will use funds to provide emergency shelter to victims and their children living in Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Chilton, Elmore and Lowndes counties.

Salvation Army – $350,000

The Salvation Army will provide emergency shelter to homeless families in Baldwin, Mobile and Washington counties.

Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless – $375,000

Teaming with House of Ruth, the Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless will provide streets, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing for people in Coffee, Dale, Henry, Houston and Geneva counties.