Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam will be directing more than a half of a billion dollars of federal stimulus money to fund the state’s rent relief program, he announced in a news conference Tuesday.

“Maintaining housing for all Virginians is in the interest of public health,” Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair Janet Howell, D-Reston, said in a statement. “This additional funding is vital to providing rent relief to prevent evictions and get financially distressed Virginians back on track with rent payments.”