La Crosse County Veterans Office

VA offers a wide array of special programs and initiatives specifically designed to help homeless veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. In fact, VA is the only Federal agency that provides substantial hands-on assistance directly to homeless persons. VA's major homeless-specific programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless treatment and assistance services in the country.

Veterans Assistance Centers

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the federal VA and private nonprofit agencies, has established six veterans assistance centers in Wisconsin to serve homeless veterans and those in danger of becoming homeless.

The mission of the centers is to help veterans who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless to obtain steady employment and affordable housing.

Veterans Assistance Centers (VACs) are located at Tomah, Fort McCoy, Madison, Milwaukee, Union Grove and King.

The Veterans Assistance Center staff will confer with each veteran to determine immediate and long-term needs. Then, the veteran and VAC staff will agree on a specific assistance program that meets those needs. Applicants who need medical attention or treatment for drug/alcohol problems will receive these services as quickly as possible through VA Medical Centers.

Based on their housing needs, veterans may live and work at the Assistance Center, or live elsewhere and spend their days at the Assistance Center to receive services.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and VA's Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) Program

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, through a cooperative partnership, provides long-term case management, supportive services and permanent housing support.

Eligible homeless Veterans receive VA provided case management and supportive services to support stability and recovery from physical and mental health, substance use, and functional concerns contributing to or resulting from of homelessness.

HUD provides 20,000 “Housing Choice” Section 8 vouchers designated for HUD-VASH to participating Public Housing Authorities to assist with rent payment. The program goals include promoting maximal Veteran recovery and independence to sustain permanent housing in the community for the Veteran and the Veteran’s family.

This program was designed to address the needs of the most vulnerable homeless Veterans. To be eligible for this program, Veterans must be VA Health Care eligible, homeless and needy and participate in case management services in order to obtain and sustain permanent independent community housing.

Updated: 08/17/2011