Bill to Fund Facilities for Homeless Veterans Heads to Governor Evers

Green Bay and Chippewa Falls sites will remain closed despite efforts to reopen them

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Wisconsin State Senate has passed a bill that would create a new $1.9 million grant program to fund four nonprofits that house homeless veterans in southeastern Wisconsin. However, efforts to reopen the shuttered Veterans Housing and Recovery Program facilities in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls failed on a party-line vote.

Why it matters

The closure of the Green Bay and Chippewa Falls facilities has left some local veterans without housing, highlighting the ongoing challenges of supporting homeless veterans in Wisconsin. The new grant program aims to address this issue, but the failure to reopen the two shuttered sites is a setback for advocates.

The details

The bill, authored by State Sen. Eric Wimberger and State Rep. Benjamin Franklin, will now go to Governor Tony Evers for consideration. When the Green Bay and Chippewa Falls locations closed in September due to a lapse in state funding, the veterans living there were moved to different homes in southeastern Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan.

  • The State Senate passed the bill on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The Green Bay and Chippewa Falls VHRP facilities closed in September 2025 after a lapse in state funding.

The players

Governor Tony Evers

The Governor of Wisconsin who will now consider the bill passed by the State Senate.

State Senator Jamie Wall

A Democratic state senator from Green Bay who proposed an amendment to reopen the shuttered VHRP facilities, but it failed on a party-line vote.

State Senator Eric Wimberger

The Republican state senator who authored the bill that will now be considered by Governor Evers.

State Representative Benjamin Franklin

The Republican state representative who co-authored the bill with Senator Wimberger.

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What they’re saying

“I am disappointed that Republicans once again turned their backs on homeless veterans in Northeast Wisconsin. 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.”

— State Senator Jamie Wall, Democratic State Senator from Green Bay (Statement)

“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.”

— State Senator Eric Wimberger, Republican State Senator from Gillett (Statement)

What’s next

Governor Tony Evers will now consider the bill passed by the State Senate, which would create a new $1.9 million grant program to fund nonprofits that house homeless veterans in southeastern Wisconsin.

The takeaway

The closure of the Green Bay and Chippewa Falls VHRP facilities has left some homeless veterans without housing in Wisconsin, highlighting the ongoing challenges of supporting this vulnerable population. While the new grant program aims to address this issue, the failure to reopen the shuttered sites is a setback for advocates who argue more must be done to ensure all homeless veterans have access to the services and support they need.