Grant bill for homeless veterans advances to Gov. Evers

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)—A bill to create a state grant program to help homeless veterans in Wisconsin passed the Senate this week. The bill, which redirects $1.9 million in already-appropriated funding, heads to Governor Tony Evers’ desk for consideration and a signature. The Wisconsin Senate passed the bill this week.

The bill establishes a new state grant program to fund nonprofit organizations that provide housing for veterans. Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Deputy Secretary Joey Hoey told WLUK/Fox 11 that the organizations benefiting from the $25 per-veteran-per-diem funding are all in Southeastern Wisconsin.

The four eligible organizations Hoey mentioned are Porchlight in Madison, Rock Valley Community Programs in Janesville, the Center for Veterans Issues in Milwaukee, and Guest House of Milwaukee.

Reaction

The bill does nothing to address the recent closures of the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program facilities in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls. 

Senators Jamie Wall(D) of Green Bay and Jeff Smith(D) of Eau Claire proposed an amendment to reopen those facilities. The amendment failed along party lines. 

In a press release, Wall said his fellow lawmakers disappoint him. 

“I am disappointed that Republicans once again turned their backs on homeless veterans in Northeast Wisconsin,” Wall said. “The closure of the center in Bellevue almost certainly means that some local veterans are sleeping on the street this winter. We have to do better.”

The Green Bay and Chippewa Falls locations closed in September 2025, forcing the veterans living there to relocate to homes in Southeast Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota or remain homeless. 

Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Gillett)  and Representative Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere) co-authored the bill. 

In a press release, Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Gillett), one of the bill’s co-authors, blamed Governor Evers for the closures of the Green Bay and Chippewa Falls programs.

“Today, the Senate voted to do what Governor Tony Evers should have been doing from the start: spending already-appropriated funds under his control to help care for Wisconsin’s homeless veterans. But since he closed two VHRP facilities and has repeatedly refused to spend the money available to him, the Legislature is stepping in to deliver a solution and ensure the important work of supporting our state’s homeless heroes is done,” Wimberger said.