About $570,000 in federal funding is heading to Hawaii to help veterans who are struggling with homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday that they will give $60 million to local public housing agencies nationwide.

The money will fund permanent housing for about 9,000 homeless veterans across the nation.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa says the country has an obligation to support veterans who are transitioning to civilian life.

She says it is a tragedy to see military service members become homeless after returning from war.

The U.S. Housing and Urban Development says homelessness among veterans dropped by 17.2 percent between 2009 and 2012. The agency says more funding is expected to be announced this summer.