Recent VA News Releases


        To view and download VA news releases, please visit the following
Internet address:
                        http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel>


        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)
   Rank   Location               Project

        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 (Phase
        25      Holyoke, Mass.  ADA renovations (Phase 3)
        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

        41      Yountville, Calif. Renovate recreation building
        42      Union Grove, Wis. Renovate dietary facility
        43      Scottsbluff, Neb. New multi-purpose building
        44      Florence, Colo.         General renovationations
        45      Buffalo, Wyo.   Rehabilitation/activity improvements
        46      Bristol, R.I.   Upgrade HVAC system
        47      Holyoke, Mass.  Replace Roof  - Main Building
        48      Talihina, Okla.         New laundry/administrative building
        49      Chelsea, Mass.  General renovationations
        50      LaSalle, Ill.   New storage building
        51      Quincy, Ill.    Bus and ambulance garage
        52      Texas (location pending)New 160-bed NHC facility
        53      Texas (location pending)New 160-bed NHC facility
        54      Texas (location pending)New 160-bed NHC facility
        55      Texas (location pending)New 160-bed NHC facility
        56      La. (Reserve)   New 156-bed NHC facility
        57      Vineland, N.J.  Replace 300-bed NHC facility
        58      Richmond, Va.   New 220-bed NHC; 60-bed domiciliary facility
        59      Union Grove, Wis. New 120-bed NHC facility/ activity center
        60      Washington, Maine New 30-bed domiciliary facility

        61      Quincy, Ill.    New 106-bed NHC facility
        62      Texas (location pending)New 160-bed NHC facility
        63      Texas (location pending)New 160-bed NHC facility
        64      Texas (location pending)New 160-bed NHC facility
        65      Sandusky, Ohio  Fire alarm, emergency generator and security
systems
        66      Hilo, Hawaii    New 200-bed NHC facility
        67      Paramus, N.J.   Renovate adult day health care unit
        68      Minneapolis, Minn. Renovate adult day health care unit
        69      Oxford, N.J.    New wing and renovationations
        70      Marshallstown, Iowa Renovate NHC facility
        71      Holyoke, Mass.  Care center compliance renovation
        72      Grand Rapids, Mich. Rehabilitation services expansion
        73      Holyoke, Mass.  Modify auditorium
        74      Hot Spring, S.D.        General renovationations
        75      Ohio (location pending)New 168-bed NHC facility
        76      Ohio (location pending)New 168-bed NHC facility
        77      Morristown, Tenn. New 120-bed NHC facility
        78      King, Wis.      New 45-bed domiciliary facility
        79      Md. (location pending)New 120-bed NHC facility
        80       Orting, Wash.                  120-bed NHC replacement
facility
        81  Fayetteville, Arkansas New 108-bed NHC facility


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