Dustin Pilialoha stands with a sign while waiting for the arrival of President Joe Biden outside the Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated $1.3 million to the State of Hawaii to help people experiencing homelessness before and after the recent Maui fires, U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz announced this week.

The Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing program funding will provide assistance to both individuals who were homeless before the fires as well as those who are at risk of becoming homeless without long-term aid. This includes emergency shelter; rapid rehousing support, which provides up to 24 months of rental assistance, financial assistance for move-in costs and supportive services for people who are currently homeless; homelessness prevention, which provides up to 24 months of rental assistance, utility assistance and supportive services for people at risk of homelessness; and outreach assistance.

“This funding will provide essential assistance to individuals impacted by the devastating wildfires who were previously experiencing housing insecurity. I appreciate HUD’s quick action as one of the many federal agencies providing assistance in these early stages of recovery,” Hirono said in a news release Wednesday.

People who were homeless before the fire have limited eligibility for housing assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The RUSH program fills the gap in aid to help communities provide long-term housing solutions.

Additional funding may be made available once the total extent of housing displacement as a result of the fires is assessed.

“The fires have totally devastated people who were already experiencing homelessness and have left many more people at risk of being unhoused,” Schatz said in a news release Wednesday. “This new funding will help make sure those in need will have access to housing and help.”