Veterans’ housing in Green Bay nears approval

GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW) – Veterans First of Northeast Wisconsin has been working for years to bring housing specifically dedicated to veterans to the area. The last step before construction on 21 tiny homes can begin is approval from the Green Bay Common Council.

“So we’ve got our next meeting on Tuesday, June 11th at City Hall,” Nohr said. “We’re looking for a majority of the alders to vote ‘Yes.” It’s a done deal then.

In 2023, Brown County voted unanimously to donate 3 and a half acres of land at the former Brown County mental health treatment center on St. Anthony Drive for veteran-preferred supportive housing. Veterans First has developed plans for Cottage Court to provide veterans housing.

The Green Bay Common Council is expected to vote on zoning for Cottage Court during their upcoming meeting on June 11th. At least 7 alders must vote for the proposal for it to pass. 

Nohr says there is a waitlist for the 21 tiny homes at Cottage Court. 

Fundraiser for veterans’ housing efforts

Nohr said that because in-kind construction donations will cover much of the building cost, each tiny home at Cottage Court will cost Veterans First about $50,000. 

In the meantime, a fundraiser to help pay for the construction of the Cottage Court homes is being held on Saturday, June 15th at 9th Street Wellness. Karen Stoehr of 9th Street Wellness said there will be music, entertainers, an auction, a hula hoop contest, and more.

“A lot of good veterans are helping out and performing,” said Stoehr. “They’ll be serving food and making all kinds of things.”

9th Street Wellness is at the corner of Meadowpark and Allouez in Green Bay.

Lending a helping hand

Nohr said there are several ways to help Veterans First bring the Cottage Court community to life. The most important of which may be volunteering to help.

“We’re always looking for volunteers. So in a bit, we’re going to have a database on our website where people can sign up to do certain things at certain hours on certain days whatever works for them. It’s called volunteer hub,” said Nohr. “And they’re going to be able to pick what they want to do.”