SALEM — The Oregon Legislature’s emergency board recently approved $12 million in housing assistance — more than half of which will go to Oregonians who are on the edge of homelessness.

In all, $8.5 million is set aside for people who have lost their income due to COVID-19 and can’t pay their rent. The money will pad existing housing assistance funds available to nonprofit and government agencies around the state.

State officials said the money will pushed out to those agencies this week, and those who can’t pay their rent should contact their local agency as soon as possible.

More money could be the offing. Nicole Stoenner, senior legislative and government relations coordinator with the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department, said her agency has received notices from the federal government that $14.9 million is headed to Oregon to assist people in need with paying rental or utilities and to underwrite homeless shelter operations or put people without housing into hotels or motels.

Oregon lawmakers also set aside $3.5 million for shelters and motel vouchers from its latest infusion of emergency funds.

Stoenner said there is no timeline on distributing that money yet, because a large chunk will be dedicated to safely housing migrant and seasonal farmworkers, most of whom usually stay in dormitory-style housing provided by the farm.

The state has little experience with farmworker housing and so is trying to figure out how best to use those funds, Stoenner said.

The rest will be sent to agencies around the state that deliver homeless services. Each jurisdiction will get a share of the money based on a formula that includes population, estimated homeless counts and other factors.

The state is also advocating for additional federal funds for housing and homeless services.

“We’re hoping and anticipating for additional funds to continue to provide resources during this time,” Stoenner said.

How do I learn more?

No matter where you live in Oregon, you can call 211 or use the 211 app.

Tell the operator where you live and that person will direct you to the nearest community action agency, as the organizations designated to disbursing the funds are called.

How do I get the funds?

You need to prove that you are unable to pay rent because of coronavirus, so you’ll need letters from clients who canceled appointments, documents that prove you were laid off or pay stubs that show your pay was reduced because of COVID-19.

Then what?

If you are found eligible for the money, a one-time payment will be given directly to your landlord. This is a slight difference from similar state pots of money, which give the money to the tenant.

Lawmakers stipulated that the rent assistance from the coronavirus fund should go directly to landlords to make sure it isn’t spent on other uses.

Do I have to pay it back?

No, this is no-strings-attached money. However, it will only cover that one month you applied for.

The state has also placed a moratorium on evictions during coronavirus, meaning that if you don’t pay your rent, you can’t be kicked out of your home. However, rent for the months you miss must be paid back within six months after the state emergency declaration ends.

This article was originally published by the The Oregonian/OregonLive, one of more than a dozen news organizations throughout the state sharing their coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak to help inform Oregonians about this evolving heath issue.