Veterans housing in Green Bay. PC: Fox 11 Online
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A bill that aims to save two facilities which provide temporary housing for military veterans experiencing homelessness was discussed Thursday at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
The facilities are located in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls. Last week, the final servicemember moved out of Green Bay’s Veteran Housing and Recovery Program location. Leases for both facilities end Sept. 30 due to lost funding in the state budget.
But state Democrats and Republicans are trying to pass bills to get the facilities reopened.
A public hearing was held Thursday in Madison with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran and Military Affairs. Several lawmakers and veterans expressed concern for homeless servicemembers, as funding for the two VHRP facilities runs out.
“Just as every servicemember upholds an unspoken oath to never leave a comrade behind, we believe the state of Wisconsin carries a similar responsibility and unspoken oath to make sure no veteran is left behind when they return home,” VFW Department of Wisconsin State Commander Ty Letto said.
The public hearing discussed a bill proposed by Republican State Senator Andre Jacque. His bill asks for $1.9 million to fund and reopen the Green Bay and Chippewa Falls VHRPs. It also contains eligibility for property tax credit for surviving spouses and disabled vets, and expands the UW’s Missing In Action recovery project.
“By passing Senate Bill 411, we have the opportunity to achieve a proactive, bipartisan solution to the funding problem, and I encourage my committee members to join me in approving this funding package,” Jacque said.
Democratic state Senators Jamie Wall and Jeff Smith co-authored a different bill asking for the same amount of money — $1.9 million.
While all servicemembers are already moved out of the Green Bay location, Wall said having a locally-based facility is the key.
“We live in northern Wisconsin. I don’t think the state should conduct all of its business along the Illinois border, and the one remaining facility for homeless veterans is in Union Grove, which is a heck of a lot closer to Chicago than it is to Green Bay,” Wall said.
Wall and Democratic Representatives Amaad Rivera-Wagner and Ryan Spaude all say they will support Jacque’s bill if it can get to the Senate floor, but are disappointed funds weren’t part of the original biennial state budget.
The Department of Veterans Affairs said reopening these facilities is important for veterans who were forced to move away from their families and friends.
“Being forced to close the facilities in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls was gut-wrenching for both veterans in the program and staff and community members,” Wisconsin DVA Assistant Deputy Secretary Joey Hoey said.
If money is re-allocated to the program, the DVA said the Green Bay location could re-open in a matter of months. For Chippewa Falls, it may take more than a year.
Jacque hopes to advance his bill out of committee by October, then have it go to the Senate.
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