GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A facility in Green Bay that provides safe housing for veterans is set to close later this year after its funding was eliminated.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers requested $1.9 million in the 2025-27 state budget for the Veteran Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP). It provides temporary housing for military veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, in addition to employment training, education, health care services and substance abuse recovery.
VHRP has three locations: Green Bay, Chippewa Falls and Union Grove.
As the state legislature was deliberating the next biennial budget, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau informed lawmakers “without additional funding, the Department [of Veterans Affairs] would not have sufficient resources to maintain the program’s three sites.”
But in the final budget, the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee approved $0 in new funding for the VHRP. As a result, their locations in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls will close by Sept. 30. Monday marked the final day applications were reviewed at those two sites. Applications will continue to be accepted for the Union Grove location.
Colleen Flaherty with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs said, “There are currently 16 veterans residing at the VHRP Green Bay location. We are working with each veteran to find an alternative placement.”
The impacted veterans will continue to receive assistance through supportive services, state officials said.
In a statement, Evers said, in part:
We make a promise to our veterans that when they return home to their civilian life, we will support and serve them just as they have supported and served us. Our veterans should not have to worry about being able to afford to keep a roof over their heads. Period. The bottom line is that there will now be fewer options for homeless veterans.
If you or someone you know is a veteran experiencing housing insecurity, there are resources available:
- 211 is a free and confidential service that connects you with thousands of local programs and services. Dial 2-1-1 on your phone to reach trained community resource specialists available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Call 988 and press ‘1’ or text 838255 to get connected to the Veteran Crisis Line for 24/7/365 confidential crisis support. You will be connected to a real person qualified to support veterans.
- Veteran Outreach and Recovery Program is a WDVA program that connects veterans to community services and provide case management and support, with a special focus on treatment and recovery.
- Call 1-877-424-3838 to access veteran homeless resources or visit VA.gov/homeless.
Comments