U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) raised concerns this week about how the termination of a Veterans Assistance Foundation (VAF) lease will impact veterans in Wisconsin.
The VAF, which provides programs that assist veterans with homelessness, mental illness and other chronic issues, received a 90-day termination notice for its lease of the second and third floors of the Tomah Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center on Oct. 18.
“It is my understanding the VAF currently houses 40 to 50 homeless veterans in this facility,” Duffy wrote in a letter to Tomah VA Medical Center Acting Director Victoria Brahm. “I am deeply concerned about the welfare of these veterans, and the impact of the decision to terminate VAF’s lease on the veterans currently relying on the VAF program for housing and medical care.”
If the decision to terminate the VAF lease is final, Duffy added, the Tomah VA Medical Center should work with the VAF to find appropriate replacement housing for veterans.
Duffy also requested a briefing from Brahm before Nov. 4 on the reasoning for terminating the lease and on plans to mitigate negative consequences for veterans.