Santa Clarita Valley residents having serious trouble making ends meet now have access to $4.68 million through a federal stimulus package.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday an expansion of the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program’s service area to incorporate 19 additional cities, including Santa Clarita.

The program doesn’t help homeowners or the chronically homeless, Community Development Commission Manager Linda Jenkins said. It’s specifically aimed at individuals and families on the brink of homelessness.

“It’s really for people who, but for this assistance, would be homeless,” Jenkins said. “This is people who find themselves in a bad situation, and this is to get them over the hump.”

Before the motion was approved, families could access the money, which was part of the American Recovery and Rehabilitation Act funds. But they had to trek to another town to seek help.

“That’s great news,” said Linda Malerba, director of Lutheran Social Services. The nonprofit helps the homeless and low-income earners find housing and jobs.

Malerba said 15 families have been helped through the program — but they have had to trek to the San Fernando Valley to find it.

“It’s a real hand-up,” Malerba said. “This program gets people help with move-in costs, help with utilities, help with security deposits.”