Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday that the state is expanding its COVID-19 Rental Assistance program.

A one-time payment of $500 for Mainers struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic was authorized in April.

Beginning Monday, Mainehousing will accept applications from renters for payments of up to $1,000 per month for three months.

Payments will be paid directly to landlords, who must agree to not evict tenants.

The administration also announced Thursday that it would spend $1 million to expand services to try to reduce the state’s racial disparity in coronavirus cases.

The money will be used to “expand education, prevention and eligibility for services currently supported by the coronavirus relief fund.”