Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced that he will sign an executive order that expands and reopens eligibility for New York State’s COVID Rent Relief Program.

The program was created by the Legislature when it passed the Emergency Rent Relief Act of 2020, and appropriated up to $100 million from the federal CARES Act to provide subsidies for tenants who lost income due to the pandemic.

As much as $40 million is expected to be paid to eligible applicants, which represents approximately 15,000 New York households, according to the governor. The executive order will expand the program’s eligibility so more rent relief can be provided to New Yorkers.