WASHINGTON – To make sure the state veterans homes in Marquette and Grand Rapids remain comfortable residences for veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is targeting two grants worth nearly $1.5 million for improvements at the state homes.
"These grants honor our commitment to care for the men and women of Michigan who have served in uniform," said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "Our federal-state partnership helps to provide comfortable housing for Michigan veterans in a caring community."
The Marquette facility received $696,058 for an emergency generator and fire safety upgrades. The Grand Rapids veterans home received $786,000 for safety code renovations.
VA’s grants cover 65 percent of the total cost of the projects. The Marquette construction is expected to cost $1 million, while the bill for the work at Grand Rapids is likely to be $1.2 million.
Michigan’s veterans homes are available to all veterans who served in the military for 90 days since December 7, 1941. Under certain circumstances, spouses and parents of some eligible veterans may be admitted.
In fiscal year 2005, VA spent nearly $1.5 billion in Michigan to serve more than 820,000 veterans who live in the state. VA operates major medical centers in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, IronMountain and Saginaw with outpatient clinics and Vet Centers across the state.
