ST. LOUIS (AP) – A $1 million federal grant will provide housing for homeless people in St. Louis.

The city announced Tuesday that it has been awarded a Housing First grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mayor Francis Slay’s office says the grant will be used to immediately move homeless people and families into homes and apartments. Slay says the grant will assist up to 150 homeless people.

After housing is assured, city officials will then work with the homeless to address the issues that led to them living on the streets.

The CEO of St. Louis’ largest homeless services provider, Laurie Phillips of the St. Patrick Center, says the project could provide what she calls “a new era in homeless services.”