VA Awards $13.5 Million for Tennessee Veterans Homes

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded the state of Tennessee three grants totaling more than $13.5 million for improvements to the Tennessee veterans homes in Murfreesboro and Humboldt, plus construction of a new facility in Knoxville.

“These grants will help to ensure that Tennessee‘s veterans receive the best care available as they – and their families – struggle with the health care problems of the elderly,” said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “This grant is part of an ongoing federal-state partnership to honor our commitments to the men and women who served this nation in uniform.”

In each of the grants, VA will pay up to 65 percent of the total cost.  Overall cost of the projects is $21 million.  They include:

·        $9.1 million to construct a $14 million, 120-bed state nursing home and a 20-bed Alzheimer’s unit in Knoxville;

·        $2.2 million to construct a $3.5 million, 20-bed Alzheimer’s unit at the veterans home in Murfreesboro; and

·        $2.2 million to construct a $3.5 million, 20-bed Alzheimer’s unit at the veterans home in Humboldt.

In fiscal year 2004, VA spent more than $1.4 billion in Tennessee to serve about 540,000 state veterans.  VA operates four major medical centers in Tennessee, with outpatient clinics and Vet Centers in many communities.

Tennessee‘s veterans homes are available to veterans who were born in Tennessee, who entered the military in Tennessee or who were Tennessee residents when they entered the military.

Further information about Tennessee’s veteran’s homes is available by calling (731) 784-8405 or (615) 895-8850. 

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