Some $10.9 million has been made available to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission to help provide affordable housing for low-income families across Washington state, according to Sen. Patty Murray’s office.

“This funding will put people to work immediately and will be a shot in the arm for communities throughout Washington state,” Murray said in a press release. “As we work our way out of this recession, this funding will help create local jobs, provide better and more affordable housing, and help struggling families meet their most basic needs.”

This funding comes from the more than $3 billion set aside in the Recovery Act to put people to work building quality, affordable housing for individuals and families affected by the current economic crisis.

As chairwoman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Murray said she worked to ensure that investments in affordable housing were included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Murray voted to pass the Recovery Act on Feb. 13. The bill was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17.