Kaiser Permanente is giving $600,000 to four Colorado nonprofit organizations focused on COVID-19 prevention and response for people experiencing homelessness, the company announced Thursday.

Metropolitan Denver Homeless Initiative, Pueblo Rescue Mission, Community Health Partnership in Colorado Springs and United Way of Weld County will each receive $150,000 over the next year.

“It’s clear people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity are at significant risk,” said Mike Ramseier, president for Kaiser Permanente in Colorado. “We are making this contribution at a critical time in our state as we work to prevent and control the spread of the virus.”

The funding will go toward resources to support the homeless population during the pandemic. This includes increasing capacity for testing, obtaining stable housing and training staff in active symptom monitoring protocols.

“This partnership will help to increase the capacity of community partners to … prevent the spread of COVID-19, flu and pneumonia in one of our community’s most vulnerable populations,” said Amber Ptak, CEO of Community Health Partnership.

Community Health Partnership in Colorado Springs will use its $150,000 to manage test tracking, provide flu and pneumonia vaccines and increase efforts with the Homeless Management Information System for the Homeless Isolation Shelter.

The nonprofit will also increase access to personal protective equipment, purchase testing supplies, provide outreach to unsheltered individuals and increase symptom monitoring in six partner shelters.

The Metropolitan Denver Homeless Initiative will use $100,000 to support its housing stability flex fund to provide housing and healthcare for those affected by COVID-19. The flex fund has seen a 300% increase in requests since the pandemic began.

The remaining $50,000 will be given to Denver-area shelters to cover testing, personal protective equipment and funding for staff who are monitoring symptoms.

Pueblo Rescue Mission will use its funding to increase testing capacity, train staff for active symptom monitoring, enhance coordination between partner organizations and provide personal protective equipment.

United Way of Weld County will use its $150,000 to partner with Homeward Alliance in Larimer County to employ two new employees who will work in the community to support people experiencing homelessness and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Previously, Kaiser Permanente gave $60,000 to Colorado nonprofits to provide health care to people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic as part of a $1 million contribution and partnership with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.