MADISON – Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Gillett) released the following statement after the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance unanimously passed Senate Bill 608/Assembly Bill 596, legislation he authored with Representative Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere) to ensure funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) is used to support Wisconsin’s homeless veterans:
“The Legislature is taking action to do what Governor Evers has repeatedly refused to do – spend funds that have already been set aside to support Wisconsin’s homeless veterans,” Senator Wimberger stated. “Today’s committee vote is a major step in ensuring that these funds are used, and that the state is helping to give its homeless military heroes housing and support after their service to our country.”
The Legislature increased VHRP funding by 15 percent in the 2025-27 State Budget. Despite this, last year, Governor Evers closed two facilities for homeless located in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay. Senate Bill 608/Assembly Bill 596 allocates $1.9 million in already-appropriated funding into a new state grant program. The program would award a $25 per diem payment per veteran housed to nonprofits and other non-governmental entities that provide housing and support to homeless Wisconsin veterans.
These bills will help the nonprofits that are currently housing our veterans, and encourage more groups and organizations to provide these vital services to veterans in need.
