Facility to Provide Free Lodging for Families of VA Patients
WASHINGTON – “Once again, the Fisher House Foundation is stepping forward to ease the lives of veterans and their families during times of great need,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson in announcing VA has approved a new Fisher House in Seattle.
Safe, comfortable and affordable housing for families of veterans being treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Seattle moved closer to reality with VA’s decision. The house provides free lodging to the families of VA patients.
“This compassionate gift will enable our patients to focus upon their treatment and permit them to receive the full benefit of VA’s world-class care,” Nicholson added.
The new Fisher House will be built on the grounds of VA medical center in Seattle. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007, along with a previously announced new Fisher House at the VA medical center in Richmond, Va. Today, Secretary Nicholson also announced plans to construct at new Fisher House in Boston.
“We are honored to be able to help America’s veterans and their families,” said Fisher House Foundation Chairman Ken Fisher. “While our number one priority continues to be those service men and women wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan, these new facilities will also benefit veterans of all of our nation’s conflicts.”
Nicholson expressed his gratitude to Ken Fisher, whose Fisher House Foundation has built multi-family living facilities at VA medical centers and military health care facilities that allow families to be with their loved ones during lengthy medical treatments and rehabilitation.
Fisher Houses are built through public donations and contributions from the Fisher House Foundation. VA assumes responsibility for operating costs of the finished homes.
Currently, VA has eight Fisher Houses in: Albany, N.Y.; Bay Pines, Fla.; Cincinnati; Denver; Houston; Minneapolis; Palo Alto, Calif.; and West Palm Beach, Fla. A ninth Fisher House is under construction in Tampa, with completion due in early 2007.
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