GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran and Military Affairs held a hearing on Thursday afternoon regarding a Republican-written bill that addresses the Veterans Housing and Recovery program (VHRP) and other veteran initiatives.
Before the hearing, Green Bay area lawmakers held a press conference to express support for the VHRP along with other veteran programs, in hopes of restoring funding as homeless facilities shuttered in Chippewa Falls and Bellvue due to the lack of funding.
Senator Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay), along with Representatives Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay) and Ryan Spaude (D-Ashwaubenon), spoke at a press conference to seek a solution and take steps to try and restore funding.
Sen. Wall said in a release that he urged colleagues to find a solution to fund the program for the future.
“Supporting our veterans means supporting the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program,” Sen. Wall said in a release. “I urge my colleagues to find a solution that will fund this program in the future.”
Sen. Wall also provided a testimonial on behalf of Senate Bill 411, which would restore about $1.9 million in funding, keeping facilities alive and keeping veterans from homelessness while providing them with critical services.
“Struggling veterans could be forced back onto the streets, losing access to essential aid provided by the VHRP, including meals, transportation, internet and even laundry facilities,” Sen. Wall said.
Rep. Spaude said in a release that it’s critical to do right by those who served the nation, willing to sacrifice everything.
“It’s absolutely shameful how this program was defunded during the state budget process,” Rep. Spaude said. “We need to ensure homeless veterans have the support they need.”
Rep. Rivera-Wagner emphasized the personal connection for him concerning the issue, adding that, at best, the program would take a year if the bill gets passed.
“This is tough for me, partly because I have family members who are veterans and my family has experienced homelessness personally,” Rep. Rivera-Wagner said. “At best, with everything going right, it could potentially be back in a year, which is a year somebody experiencing homelessness will never get back.”
The bill was introduced by Sen. Andre Jacque (R-New Franken), who said the following to Local 5.
“By passing Senate Bill 411, we have the opportunity to achieve a proactive, bipartisan solution to the funding problem, and I encourage my committee members to join with me in approving this funding package.”
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Senate Bill 411 would provide $900,000 to the Department of Veteran Affairs in 2025-26 and another $1.05 million in 2026-27, which would both increase funding and help find a different facility to lease for Chippewa Falls-based VHRP.
The bill can be read in full in the file viewer below or by clicking here.
