BOISE — The Idaho Legislature’s budget committee on Monday approved $175 million for emergency rental assistance stemming from people struggling to pay rent during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted 16-4 to approve the money that also requires approval in both the House and Senate, plus Republican Gov. Brad Little’s signature.

The money is part of the $900 million the state received under President Donald Trump’s $900 billion coronavirus rescue money signed into law in December. President Joe Biden last month extended a nationwide eviction ban that started in March 2020 to the end of March 2021.

The federal eviction moratorium is intended ensure that people could stay in their homes even if they cannot afford their monthly bills. It’s part of an overall plan to reduce the spread of the coronavirus by preventing people from falling into homelessness.

The rental assistance money can be used to pay rent, utilities and other expenses related to housing.

The budget committee’s action follows a letter sent to the committee last week by 39 Idaho affordable home advocates asking the committee to approve the emergency rent assistance, saying 34,000 households are at risk of eviction or homelessness.

“A continued delay or failure to approve these funds will result in devastating consequences for Idaho’s renters, landlords, and the economy,” the letter stated.

The $900 million is the second round of coronavirus rescue money the state received, following $1.25 billion early last year.

Idaho state lawmakers in a power struggle with Little said they should have been called back into session last year to distribute the $1.25 billion.

But now, the part-time, Republican-dominated Legislature is back in session and has the task of approving the $900 million. Four weeks into the legislative session, the emergency rental assistance is the first significant action lawmakers have taken in spending the money despite urgent calls from groups saying it is needed immediately.

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association would administer the emergency rental assistance money. The deadline to spend the federal money is Dec. 31.