CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WRN) — Lack of state budget funding will force the closure of two facilities for at-risk Wisconsin veterans.
Veterans Housing and Recovery Program sites in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay will close by September 3rd. Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Deputy Secretary Joey Hoey says the agency didn’t receive $1.9 million requested
“Joint Finance Committee when they voted in May, they chose not to give us that money, and that was pretty much the known result,” Hoey said.
During budget debate in the state Senate, a Democratic amendment to restore the funding failed despite support from Republican Senator André Jacque
“This has been top priority of mine legislatively for several sessions now. It’s certainly been my top budget ask. I’ve just talked to too many veterans that this would mean too much to allow them to stay in their homes and communities,” Jacque said.
Governor Tony Evers criticized Republicans for cutting the funding, while Jacque said he wished the governor would have prioritized veterans’ assistance higher within his budget negotiations.
The program offers temporary housing, training and other support services to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The services will continue to be available at the Veterans Affairs location in Union Grove in Racine County.