(CNN) The Department of Housing and Urban Development is hoping to find roughly $15 million to renew 170 contracts with private building owners who rent to poor Americans.

HUD is hoping to use existing funds to renew the contracts, which expired prior to last month's partial government shutdown.

The shutdown has prevented the agency from renewing about 1,150 other contracts that expired in December and January.

The agency had initially reported the figure as 1,650 but lowered it this week, said Ellen Lurie Hoffman, federal policy director of the National Housing Trust, which owns, renovates and helps finance affordable housing. Another 550 contracts are set to lapse next month.

The agency did not respond to requests for comment.

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