Vet News: VA Sets Priority List for State Veterans Home Grants

WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2003) -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has approved the priority list of pending state home construction grant applications for FY 2003.

"State Veterans homes provide a comfortable setting for Veterans in a time of great personal need," said Principi. "Federal-state cooperation in this important effort goes a long way toward assuring that America’s older Veterans receive the care they deserve in a dignified environment."

The State Home Program is a partnership between the federal government and the states to acquire, construct or renovate nursing homes, domiciliaries and adult day health care facilities for Veterans. The homes are owned and operated by the states, but the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may provide up to 65 percent of the cost of approved projects. States fund the remaining costs. Once construction is complete and inspections are satisfactory, the facilities then qualify for per diem payments from VA.

The priority list will serve as VA’s basis for awarding grants during FY 2003, which began on October 1, 2002. The number of projects to which VA will commit will not be known until VA’s annual budget is approved.

Priority List of State Home Construction Grants (FY 2003)

1 Union Grove, Wis. New 42-bed domiciliary
2 King, Wis. Renovate food service facility
3 Boise, Idaho Renovate Alzheimers wing
4 Grand Island, Neb. Dietary facility
5 Homelake, Colo. Expand dining room
6 Barboursville, W.Va. General domiciliary renovationations
7 Walterboro, S.C. 220-bed nursing home care (NHC)unit; 60-bed domiciliary
8 Caribou, Maine 30-bed domiciliary addition
9 Augusta, Maine 30-bed domiciliary addition
10 Bangor, Maine 30-bed domiciliary addition
11 Roanoke, Va. Expand Alzheimers unit
12 Retsil, Wash. Replace 240-bed NHC facility
13 Yountville, Calif. Renovate water storage / transmission lines
14 Chelsea, Mass. Fire alarm system
15 Buffalo, Wyo. Renovate life/safety systems
16 Holyoke, Mass. Life safety - air conditioning systems
17 Norman, Okla. Life safety - mold/mildew removal
18 Wilmore, Ky. Renovate special care unit
19 Clarksburg, W.Va. New 120-bed NHC facility
20 Los Angeles, Calif.New 620-bed NHC and domiciliary facility
21 Union Grove, Wis. Renovate adult day health care unit
22 Rifle, Colo. Upgrade fire/safety systems
23 Yountville, Calif.Renovate annex
24 Holyoke, Mass. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)renovations)
26 Chelsea, Mass. ADA elevator renovations
27 Holyoke, Mass. ADA renovations (Phase 4)
28 Stony Brook, N.Y. ADA compliance
29 Homelake, Colo. Upgrade heating plant, mechanical/electrical systems
30 Chelsea, Mass. Roof replacement
31 Bristol, R.I. Replace roof, North Building
32 King, Wis. Upgrade boiler control system
33 Yountville, Calif. Renovate laundry building
34 Yountville, Calif. Renovate electrical system
35 Yountville, Calif. Renovate steam distribution system
36 Winfield, Kan. General renovationations
37 Fort Dodge, Kan. Upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
38 Salisbury, N.C. Dietary project
39 King, Wis. Upgrade nurse call system
40 Yountville, Calif. Renovate chapel

SOURCE: Veterans News and Information Service