By Andrea Shalal

(Reuters) – Monday’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was that more than $2B in mitigation and relief funds will be distributed to Puerto Rico and nine other states following fifteen major disasters. It is all part of a wider push to improve climate vulnerability.

HUD claimed that these allocations will be used to provide the necessary resources for communities to rebuild from climate-related disasters.

HUD stated that the funds would be sent to California, Louisiana and Alabama, as well as other states affected by natural disasters such as wildfires or hurricanes. The special focus will be on those with low and moderate incomes.

After further data collection, additional funds for major disasters in this year’s hurricane season, such as Hurricane Ida which is expected to cause $20-$30 billion of damage, will be distributed in the months ahead, according to a HUD spokesperson.

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge stated that the funds are central to Biden’s efforts to combat climate change and address longstanding inequities which have left marginalized and underserved communities vulnerable to multiple disasters.

“With these allocations, we are addressing climate justice in hard-hit communities that can now begin the process of building back better from disasters and improving long-term, equitable resilience to future impacts of climate change,” she said.

HUD funds will be used for long-term recovery and disaster relief as well as restoration of infrastructure, housing, and economic revival.

HUD explained that funds may be used in disaster-prone areas to reduce future losses due to climate change.

HUD announced that Oregon and Michigan will receive their first allocations in the Disaster Relief and Mitigation Program. Funds will be also available for Florida, Iowa and Puerto Rico.

This money will be used to supplement other funding sources such as insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It can also be used by state and local governments.

The funding will be used to meet the unmet community needs of $1.8 billion, and $272 million in mitigation.