Grants for West Los Angeles, Ventura, Lancaster and Yountville
WASHINGTON -- To continue construction of three major projects for veterans in California, while launching major renovations at a fourth facility, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded the state nearly $65 million.
“With these VA grants, the veterans of California can be assured that comfortable, state-of-the-art facilities are available to them in more locations,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “These grants are another demonstration of VA’s commitment to California’s men and women who have served this nation in uniform.”
Grants totaling $55.3 million will help pay for ongoing construction in West Los Angeles for a 396-bed state veterans nursing home, a 60-bed state veterans domiciliary and adult health care facility in Ventura, and a 60-bed state veterans domiciliary and adult health care facility in Lancaster.
Another grant of $9.4 million will pay for improvements to the California veterans home in Yountville.
In addition to the Yountville facility, the California Department of Veterans Affairs currently operates veterans homes in Barstow and Chula Vista. The homes are open to state residents who are veterans at least 62 years old with honorable discharges. The age-limit can be lowered for disabled veterans.
In July 2007, when VA awarded the state $124.5 million for the West Los Angeles facility, senior VA officials joined Gov. Arnold Schwarzennegger at a ground-breaking ceremony.
This year, VA expects to spend more than $7.6 billion in California on behalf of the state’s 2.1 million veterans. VA operates 10 major medical centers in the state, along with nearly 50 outpatient clinics, 11 nursing homes and 21 Vet Centers.
