Per the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, 337 veterans are homeless in the state of Wisconsin in 2020. To date, there is only one known fully operational veteran-specific homeless shelter in the State of Wisconsin which is located in the city of Racine, Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin. Racine is located in the southeastern portion of the state. One other organization located in Milwaukee Wisconsin is in the works of developing veteran-specific homeless units, but again, located in the southern portion of the state.

Northwoods Veterans Homestead will be the first veteran-specific homeless operation in northern Wisconsin and will serve all Wisconsin homeless veterans. Our intention is to follow Racine’s model consisting of a large community center, sixteen tiny homes, a veterans’ market/shop, and a community garden. Programming will be person-centered; meaning each individual veteran will receive what is needed for them to become self-sufficient and productive in the community again. Giving homeless veterans a worry-free place to meet their basic human needs allows them to concentrate on their future success with no out-of-pocket cost to them.

Foundational programming will include but is not limited to basic living skills such as cooking, finance, job searching, resume writing, and hygiene. Northwoods Veterans Homestead will facilitate professional services with partners in the community for living skills, medical, legal, and counseling services.