CINCINNATI — U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded cities across Ohio $11.6 million to assist the Housing Choice Voucher program, as well as administrative and other expenses incurred by public housing authorities.

Of those funds, $6,662 went to the Ironton Metropolitan Housing Authority and $67,212 went to the Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority.

According to HUD, these expenses include activities to support or maintain the health and safety of assisted individuals and families, and costs related to retention and support of participating owners.

Portman’s office said the grants build on the nearly $30 million in HUD Grants that Ohio received earlier this week to support public housing agencies across the state.

“These HUD grants will help Housing Authorities across Ohio that are struggling to keep up with growing housing expenses during this ongoing coronavirus pandemic,”  Portman said in a statement. “I’ve long believed we must address homelessness and increase the supply of housing so Ohioans can reach their God-given potential and I’m glad these grants will help public housing authorities assist individuals and families during this crisis. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure Ohioans have the resources they need during these uncertain times.”