Chippewa Falls Veterans Housing Center to Close in September

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis (WCFW) – A Chippewa Falls veterans housing facility is one of two that will close in the coming weeks after receiving no funding in the new budget.

Klein Hall in Chippewa Falls and a similar facility in Green Bay will close on September 30. In a press release on Monday, Governor Tony Evers laid the blame for the closures on the Republican-controlled state legislature. He says he requested $1.9 million for the Veteran Housing and Recovery Program, which was denied by the Joint Committee on Finance during the biennial budget process.

“We make a promise to our veterans that when they return home to their civilian life, we will support and serve them just as they have supported and served us,” said Governor Evers. “Our veterans should not have to worry about being able to afford to keep a roof over their heads.”

Governor Evers also said the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau warned that the facilities would close without additional funding.

State Senator Jeff Smith also released a statement criticizing the Joint Finance Committee for the closure. “I, along with my Democratic colleagues, proposed an amendment to the budget to fund it, but it failed with all but one Republican voting for the amendment,” he said. “It’s careless and callous to leave veterans out in the cold at a time when they need us the most.”

Veterans currently residing at the facility on the south side of Chippewa Falls will be offered alternative placement options and continued support. Governor Evers also shared additional resources in his press release, including the 211 and 988 phone service lines, the Veteran Outreach and Recovery Program, and State Department of Veterans Affairs resources.