WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury Department announced Friday that it distributed $2.9 billion worth of Emergency Rental Assistance funds to 665,000 landlords and renters during November. This puts the program in line for full-year 2020 obligations of $25-30 Billion.

According to the Treasury, $1.1 billion was also disbursed in aid to those communities that were eligible as part a redistribution process begun at the beginning of September. These transfers included more than 35% of the transfers made via voluntary transfers among communities within the state.

Two COVID-19 aid bills, in December 2020 and March 2021 respectively, approved $46.5 billion of funding for the rental assistance program. However, the local program’s rapid growth was hampered by slow implementation. Some jurisdictions took longer to start programs while others faced less renters or landlord demand.

The communities that had committed at least 65% to their initial round allocation received additional funds. Communities with less than 30% were subject to forfeiture.

According to the department, November saw a new record for disbursements. This month was also the highest ever with $2.8 million in total and over 500,000 recipients.