Aiming to end homelessness, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary Julián Castro recently awarded $67,691,167 in grants to hundreds of homeless housing and service programs throughout Michigan, Michigan Chronicle reports.

The selected programs offer a wide range of services, such as street outreach, client assessment and direct housing assistance. Collectively titled "Continuum of Care," the grants also mark the Department of Housing and Urban Development's 50th anniversary.

“It’s a national shame that anyone would call the streets their home,” Castro said. “Working with our local partners, we’re redoubling our efforts to support permanent housing solutions for our veterans and those experiencing long-term chronic homelessness. We’re also focused on providing targeted assistance to families and young people who are falling between the cracks. As a nation, we can and must end homelessness.”

Overall, nearly 8,400 homeless programs and services received a total of $1.8 billion in grants nationwide.

“These grants will build upon the Administration’s ongoing efforts to end homelessness and will assist some of the most vulnerable individuals and families when they need it most. It will lead them on the path towards independence and dignity,” Antonio R. Riley, HUD Midwest Regional Administrator, told Michigan Chronicle.

Preventing homelessness has been on the Obama Administration's agenda since 2010, when President Obama and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness launched the country's first comprehensive strategy to end homelessness, particularly among veterans, in 10 years.

According to HUD, there were 578,424 individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2014. However, since 2010, the overall number has declined by 10 percent.

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