A bill to help Wisconsin's homeless veterans is making its way through the state legislature, but some are saying not enough is being done to help veterans. Feb. 9, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A bill to help homeless veterans in Wisconsin is making its way through the State Legislature, but critics argue not enough is being done.
The Joint Finance Committee unanimously approved funding for a bill that supports Wisconsin’s homeless veterans. It allocates an existing $1.9 million to create a new state grant program and fund nonprofits that house veterans.
Four organizations in southeastern Wisconsin are eligible for the money and would receive about $25 per day, per veteran.
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Deputy Secretary Joey Hoey said the four eligible include Porchlight in Madison, Rock Valley Community Programs in Janesville, Center for Veterans Issues in Milwaukee and Guest House of Milwaukee.
Meanwhile, the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program locations in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls still sit empty. These facilities closed in September after a lapse in funding in the current state budget.
Hoey said he’s happy to see other organizations that aid homeless veterans get help, but he’s disappointed grant funding isn’t being targeted to revive those two VHRP sites.
“They only serve veterans in the southeast corner of the state. So, this funding isn’t going to help homeless veterans in Northern Wisconsin or western Wisconsin, unfortunately,” Hoey said.
When the Green Bay and Chippewa Falls locations shut down, the veterans living there were moved to different homes in southeast Wisconsin, Minnesota or Michigan. Reopening the facilities would allow these veterans and others in the area to stay in or return to their home communities.
“I think the fact that we can’t offer these services to somebody up in Chippewa Falls or up in Green Bay means they’re that much less likely to get help, because they’re not going to move to Union Grove or to Madison,” Hoey said.
Hoey said between $2-3 million over the biennium is needed to reopen and operate those facilities.
Republican State Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Gillett, is one of the legislators who introduced the new bill.
He said in a statement:
Because Governor Evers shuttered two Veterans Housing and Recovery Program shelters and has repeatedly refused to spend funds available to him that are appropriated for this program, the Legislature is stepping in to ensure the important work of caring for Wisconsin’s homeless veterans is done.
Senate Bill 608 spends these already-appropriated funds and creates a new state grant program for nonprofits and other organizations that offer housing and other resources to Wisconsin’s homeless veterans. This ensures that the state is collaborating to deliver these vital services to our heroes following their service to our country.
Senate Bill 608 unanimously passed the Finance Committee last week, and I look forward to it passing the full Senate later this week.
Wimberger’s office expects the Senate to pass the bill Wednesday.
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