LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – The Lafayette Transitional Housing Center has been awarded more than $219,000 to launch a new program that will help homeless families.

The federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Development was announced Monday. The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier (http://on.jconline.com/1wDQhMN ) reports the funding is part of a $1.8 billion effort to support nearly 8,400 homeless programs throughout the country. The grants are meant to encourage communities to strive toward providing permanent housing programs.

The director of the Lafayette Transitional Housing Center says it's waiting on further instruction from the federal agency until it establishes a timeline for the program. But she says the center plans to serve 30 families each year.

More than $16 million was awarded to 109 homeless programs in Indiana.