A Home Away from Home
Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military and Veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are strategically located at military and VA medical centers around the world, ensuring that families can be close to their loved ones during challenging times. With up to 21 suites in each Fisher House, families enjoy private bedrooms, baths and shared common spaces like kitchens, laundry facilities, dining rooms and living rooms.
On the road to 100
Fisher House Foundation recently announced it is on the road to 100 Fisher Houses that, when completed, will serve more than 1,400 military and Veteran families on a given night.
Financial relief for families
Since its inception, the Fisher House program has saved military and Veterans’ families an estimated $610 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. This significant financial relief allows families to focus on supporting their loved ones without the added burden of accommodation expenses.
Additional support programs
Hero Miles Program
Fisher House Foundation operates the Hero Miles program, which uses donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members. This initiative ensures that families can be together during critical recovery periods, regardless of the distance.
Hotels for Heroes
Similarly, the Hotels for Heroes program uses donated hotel points to provide family members with free stays at hotels near medical centers. This program ensures that families have a comfortable place to stay close to their loved ones without any financial strain.
Grant and scholarship programs
Beyond housing, Fisher House Foundation manages the Fisher Service Award, a grant program that supports other charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses, and children of fallen and disabled Veterans. To date, 15,000 students have received $27,000,000 in scholarship awards, furthering the Foundation’s commitment to supporting military families in various ways.
By the numbers
- Daily capacity: 1,300 families.
- Families served: More than 500,000 since inception.
- Number of lodging days offered: 12 million+.
- Scholarship awards: 15,000 students receiving $27,000,000.
- Hero Miles airline tickets provided: Over 70,000, worth nearly $105 million.
Staying at a Fisher House
If you or someone you love is receiving care at a VA or military medical center, check the list of current Fisher Houses to see if there is a location that can help. The criteria to stay are established locally by the hospital or installation command, so please contact the location with any questions. There is never a charge to stay at a Fisher House.
Watch this video to discover more about staying at a Fisher House.
A community of support
Fisher Houses are designed to foster a sense of community while providing private respite for families. Families can prepare their favorite meals in the gourmet kitchen before enjoying a good night’s sleep in their private suite. The common areas, such as the dining room, family room and outdoor patio, offer spaces for families to connect and support each other.
Private suite amenities
- Beds accommodating family needs (multiple twins, full, rollaway crib, etc.).
- Private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom with ample counter space.
- Towels and high-quality bedding provided.
- Large closet with hangers.
- TV and internet access.
Common areas
- Dining room.
- Gourmet kitchen with a coffee maker, pots, pans, utensils, pantry compartments, and state-of-the-art refrigerators.
- Family room with large TV and seating.
- Living room with seating and a library.
- Laundry room with multiple washers and dryers.
- Outdoor patio.
A testimony from a Fisher House resident
Hear it from Hero of Fort Hood shooting as he reflects on Fisher House support while his family stayed at a Fisher House during his recovery after being injured. His family shares their experience and the invaluable support they received during this challenging time.
Learn more and get involved
For more information, download Fisher House Foundation fact sheet or visit their website to learn more.
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You didn’t mention the BEST program, the Fisher House Boston Program that serves families coming to the major hospitals in Boston. That program is the best. Easy, fast, caring and always available.
Fisherhouseboston.org
This all sounds wonderful. My husband is 100% disabled w/ VA & I’ve had 2 surgeries in the last 8 mos – never space available. Many programs are never available even at 100%. Very disappointing.
I stay at the Fischer house in Tampa an am very thankful that it was there we where camping in lake Walls 80 miles away I was there for 2 weeks which gave me more time to spend with my husband before he passed away.
I hope that the build a Fisher house in Louisville, Kentucky as their building the new hospital.
I cannot thank the V.A. enough for all the programs they give us and our family members. Thank you so much for all you do and God Bless you my friends.
The Fisher house is for families of Officers only
[Editor: This is not true.]
I personally have stayed at Fisher House in MD during my complication pregnancy by myself for more than a month over 20 years ago. Still remember the wonderful manager, staff, & other family members stayed there. We all make sure everyone was doing fine or need any help such as grocery or visited other sick veteran/families. I also loved the soft, calm & relaxed music played everyday in the Fisher House at the dinning room & shared personal stories to each other at dinner or lunch time. I was very blessed & lucky to stayed there for my difficulties times by myself. Very appreciated the Fisher House program & I never forget how much they’ve helped me before.
Like most VA programs, all self-promotion and very little availability
My wife and I have stayed a handful of times at the Kansas City Fisher House. We can’t say enough good about our experiences.
The staff help in any way possible, the facilities are upscale, and accommodations allow the veteran to focus on the medical situation at hand.
I would like to make the distinction that Fisher House Foundation a separate organization from the VA. It is a non-profit 501-c3. Zachary Fisher began the foundation in 1990 and among many philanthropic organizations he founded for the men and women of the US military.
It is truly a blessing above and beyond what our VA benefits provide.
I have everything good to say about the VA and the FISHER HOUSE. The VA flew my husband and I to the VA in Houston TX. My husband had his heart valve replaced. Gave me a stay in one of the Hotels for 2 nights with transportation to and from the VA Hospital. On the 3rd day I moved into the Fisher House on the VA grounds. I had all the comforts of home. A comfortable bed and my own bathroom. Made friends with other VA families. I could cook a meal in the beautiful big kitchen. It is a lovely place for veteran families while a veteran is hospitalized.
It would be nice if they provided any temporary housing to veterans who have children or any family member going through cancer treatments, no matter where. I have 100%disability, however ended up homeless, because of the costs of hotels in Erie, PA because my son had stage 4 cancer and there were no discounts as well as no housing provided for us vets.
Good morning do this program apply to deceased Veterans surviving spouse been homeless nearly 2 yrs from neglect of the property I was leasing caused damage to my lungs was hospitalized month ago from fluid accumulating in my lungs in need of permanent housing cause the situation is causing serious health problems thank you
My husband is 100% disabled w/ the VA. MH & Medical) Every program we have tried to get into including this one is full. I had 2 surgeries in 8 mos & my husband was not able to have respite anywhere.
Even the Social workers couldn’t get us in. It all sounds good but very disappointing!!
Hello, I personally have stayed at the Fisher House in Pittsburg, PA and it has been a blessing to me and to my family who is currently there in my stead since I had to come back home. The expenses alone are overwhelming and this has been such a blessing to me since my father is in the VA hospital there and has been undergoing a lot of disheartening situations regarding his health. I have made mention many times while I was there that I am so thankful for all the staff who did a wonderful job from helping me get signed in, to welcoming me, the cleaning and the food that has been brought in. I am overwhelmed with emotion and thankfulness! I pray that many others will come to experience such joy and help. I pray that this doesn’t stop for there are many that can be helped by this program. Thanks to all those who work at the Pittsburgh, PA location!
Would VA cover cost of housing if handicapped Vet went to Mayo clinic in Minnesota. Please let me know
Fisher House is a nice idea. My first wife was dying of breast cancer and receiving treatment at NNMC/NIH-NCI in 2002. I was assigned at Ft. Detrick, MD and was told we lived too close to qualify for lodging. We wound up paying to stay in the Navy Lodge at NNMC as a result. That experience has stuck with me over the years and it is one of the things from a very dark time in my life that is impossible to forgive.
Please, for the love of Pete, do not contact me concerning this post.
My husband Mr Reginald Lee was in the VA hospital for 10 days.
I ask I could stay at the Fisher House
There said no
Took ulbe back and forth to the hospital everyday
My husband was in the VA hospital for 10 days
We ask about the Fisher house
I can’t stay there
We are out of town we live in Colorado Springs
I appreciate this article as our family was one who received these services while my husband underwent a bone marrow transplant. It was so much needed and couldn’t believe how nice the facility and staff were. Thank you.
Question:Are there plans to build a Fisher house in the MidAtlantic Region? According to website, all the Fisher Houses are in Northern Virginia.
Where’s the Compensation for 100% Disabled Combat Vets paying a Mortgage?