The Regional Council of Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) adopted a resolution Thursday declaring racism a public-health crisis.

SCAG also partnered with nonprofits including the California Community Foundation to provide $1 million in funding to promote community‐driven economic recovery and housing strategies.

The money will help fund projects that promote partnerships with community‐based organizations, nonprofit institutions and local government agencies, with an emphasis on elevating local conversations on racial equity and justice, according to a SCAG press release.

The group also created a special committee to “further develop SCAG’s response to advancing social justice throughout the agency’s activities,” the organization stated.

“If cities are not intentional about equity in housing and economic recovery, our region risks severe setbacks in minority and low‐income communities,” Councilman Rex Richardson, who is the president of SCAG, said in a statement.

The resolution comes as cities across the state and nation are navigating three crises simultaneously: a health pandemic, a fiscal emergency due to historic job losses and civil unrest calling for police accountability.