Fisher House Foundation: Providing Comfort Homes for Military and Veteran Families

Joseph Nunez, Public Affairs Specialist, VA News - June 18, 2024

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
  
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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.

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.