Wisconsin Governor Signs Bills to Aid Homeless Veterans

New program aims to support services for veterans after closure of recovery facilities

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:34am

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A serene painting of a solitary veteran sitting on a park bench, the warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of solitude and contemplation.The new state program aims to provide critical support services for Wisconsin's homeless veteran population.Madison Today

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has signed two bills into law that will create and fund a new program to assist homeless veterans in the state. The legislation comes after the closure of veterans' housing and recovery program facilities in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay. The bills allocate $950,000 annually in state funding to provide matching grants for eligible non-state organizations that receive federal per-diem funding to support veterans' services. The program will also allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve grants of up to $25,000 per veteran housed, with quarterly payments based on the previous quarter's occupancy.

Why it matters

The closure of the veterans' housing and recovery program facilities in Wisconsin has left a gap in services for homeless veterans in the state. These new bills aim to address this issue by providing funding and support for organizations that are already working to assist this vulnerable population.

The details

Bill 596 will set aside $950,000 per year in the state budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide matching grants for eligible non-state groups that receive federal per-diem funding to support veterans' services. Under Bill 597, the department may approve grants of up to $25,000 per veteran housed, with payments made quarterly based on the previous quarter's occupancy.

  • The bills were signed into law by Governor Tony Evers on April 4, 2026.

The players

Tony Evers

The Governor of Wisconsin who signed the two bills into law.

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

The state agency that will administer the new program and provide matching grants to eligible organizations.

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What they’re saying

“This new program will help ensure our veterans have access to the critical services and support they need.”

— Governor Tony Evers

What’s next

The Department of Veterans Affairs will now begin the process of implementing the new program and awarding grants to eligible organizations.

The takeaway

These bills demonstrate Wisconsin's commitment to supporting its homeless veteran population and addressing the gap in services left by the closure of previous recovery facilities. The new program will provide much-needed funding and resources to organizations already working to assist this vulnerable group.