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Fisher House Coming to VA in Seattle
December 11, 2006
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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Larry Scott
