Chippewa Falls – This morning, area Republican legislators announced legislation that would create a new state matching grant program to aid homeless veterans.
The Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) is primarily funded through per diem payments from the federal government and an appropriation from the state veterans trust fund. Despite a 15% increase for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program in the recent budget, the Evers-Rodriguez administration chose to shutter facilities in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay.
Under federal law, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awards per diem payments to qualifying organizations that provide services to homeless veterans up to $82.73 per day for each veteran housed. This proposal creates a state matching grant program of $25 per day, per veteran housed, to any non-state entity that is also receiving federal per diem payments for serving homeless veterans.
The legislators issued the statements below following the announcement:
Rep. Karen Hurd (R-Withee): “While adequate funding was already at their disposal, the Evers-Rodriguez administration chose to close the VHRP facilities in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay. This proposal will do what Governor Evers and his administration refuse to do — use the funding provided in the bipartisan budget bill to support our state’s homeless veterans.”
Rep. Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer): “No veteran should face the possibility of homelessness. This state match gives qualifying nonprofits and veterans organizations the resources they need to keep veterans off the street and on the path to recovery. It’s a common-sense investment in people who’ve sacrificed for all of us, no matter where they are in Wisconsin.”
Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie): “Our homeless veterans need to be taken care of. Our bill will give non-profit and veterans organizations matching funds to support our homeless veterans. This bill gives flexibility for veterans to be helped all across the state of Wisconsin.”
Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp): “This funding was originally allocated to help our veterans facing homelessness, and that’s what the money should continue to be used for. This new matching program would help alleviate the expenses related to caring for our homeless veterans, including those who had to transfer out of Klein Hall or the Green Bay facility. We explored several avenues to prevent the closure of Klein Hall, but now that it has officially closed, I believe this legislation is the most effective solution we can implement to avoid this outcome at other veteran shelters and facilities throughout Wisconsin. I hope both sides of the aisle can work together to support these facilities who have generously opened their doors when Klein Hall had to close them.”
