Tomah VA Medical Center
A Wisconsin Congressman says he’s confident no homeless veterans at the Tomah VA Hospital will be left out in the cold.
Officials at Tomah are ending an agreement with a non-profit group that was leasing space to house homeless veterans, after citing problems with lease violations and safety concerns. The VA pointed to ongoing problems at the homeless shelter, which include the death of a veteran in September who was staying there.
The shelter, operated by the Veterans Assistance Foundation, is one of several around the state. The group says it is looking for another location.
U.S. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) says he’s been in contact with Veterans Affairs officials, and believes what happens next needs to keep the focus on helping veterans find housing. “I’ve received assurances that no homeless veteran is going to be thrown out on the street in the middle of January with no safe place to go,” the Wisconsin Democrat says. “Everyone is on board with that.”
AUDIO: Rep. Kind says he’s been in contact with VA officials about the situation (
Kind says he will remain in contact with VA officials and the Veterans Assistance Foundation to make sure that happens. “If all parties are truly focused on what’s in the best interest of homeless vets, I think there’s going to be a good outcome,” he says.