Congressman T.J. Cox has announced additional money will be going towards helping the homeless in the Central Valley.

Cox says $11.6 million in emergency solutions grants will be given people in Fresno and Kern Counties. The money can be used to create emergency shelters and keep them open.

The money can also be used to provide other things like childcare and education services.

“Homelessness was a big issue in the Central Valley before the pandemic, and this crisis has made it significantly worse,” said Rep. TJ Cox. “Now, many working families are facing the grim reality of losing their homes and the CARES Act, which we passed in March, is proving to be a lifeline keeping them off the street.”

Bakersfield will receive roughly $3.5 million, Fresno County $3.4 million, and Kern County $4.7 million in allocated funding.