What is a Fisher House?

A Fisher House is a comfort home in a network of houses located near military and VA medical centers, providing free lodging for the families of active-duty service members and veterans while their loved ones receive medical care.

To date, 99 Fisher Houses operate around the world, including one at the Milwaukee VA, serving military and veteran families in Wisconsin. These homes are not funded by federal VA dollars but are instead built through private gifts, grants, and donations from communities eager to show their gratitude. Each house serves as a "brick-and-mortar" support system, allowing families to stay close without the burden of lodging costs during their loved one’s treatment.

In Wisconsin, Fisher Houses are supported by Fisher House Wisconsin, which ensures families’ needs are met so they can focus entirely on the care and recovery of their loved one. Whether it’s offering free lodging in one of the 16 private family suites, providing respite opportunities in the community, or hosting catered meals for holidays and special events, Fisher House Wisconsin works to ensure no family incurs out-of-pocket costs while staying at a Fisher House in the state.

Fisher House Wisconsin

Fisher House Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the construction and operation of Fisher Houses across Wisconsin. The first Fisher House in the state opened at the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Medical Center in April 2016. Since then, the Milwaukee VA Fisher House has housed over 6,300 military and veteran caregivers. By helping fund operational expenses, Fisher House Wisconsin ensures families can stay close to their loved ones during critical medical treatments without financial burden.

In addition, Fisher House Wisconsin collaborates with the national Fisher House Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs to raise funds and awareness for new Fisher Houses in Wisconsin, including the upcoming one in Madison. Together, the Milwaukee and Madison Fisher Houses will provide 11,680 nights of free lodging annually, saving veterans and their families over $2.3 million in out-of-pocket costs. Through these efforts, Fisher House Wisconsin ensures that communities identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as in need of a Fisher House receive the necessary resources and support.