INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department has awarded more than $16.4 million in grants to support 109 local homeless housing and service programs in Indiana.

HUD Secretary Julian Castro says the Continuum of Care grants announced Monday will help provide critically needed services for homeless people and their families. He called it a national shame that anyone would call the streets their home, saying the nation can and must end homelessness.

The funding will allow local providers to continue offering permanent and transitional housing to homeless people as well as services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.

Nationwide, HUD awarded $1.8 billion to homeless programs.