WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding a grant of more than $2.9 million to the state of Idaho for the cost of improvements at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise.
“These grants are part of a tradition extending back to the Civil War,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “This federal-state partnership provides a comfortable home for veterans in a time of great personal need.”
The grant will be used to relocate and remodel a 167-bed nursing home that includes a secure Alzheimer care unit. Total cost of the project is placed at nearly $4.5 million, with the VA grant covering 65 percent of the cost.
Since 1888, the federal government has shared in the cost of veterans’ care in state veterans homes. VA-state partnerships have resulted in the construction or remodeling of numerous state facilities. VA also assists by providing per diem payments to states to offset the cost of veterans’ care.
Currently, 106 state veterans homes operate in 46 states and Puerto Rico. Under VA’s State Veterans Home Grant Program, states may receive up to 65 percent of the construction costs for facilities that will be used for domiciliary, nursing home or adult day health care to veterans. Once construction is complete and inspections are satisfactory, the facility then qualifies for per diem payments from VA.
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