COCHRAN: $1.35 MILLION AWARDED TO IMPROVE STATE VETERANS HOMES IN JACKSON AND COLLINS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 12, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today reported that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved two grants worth $1.35 million to carry out improvements to the State Veterans Homes in Jackson and Collins.

The VA is contributing $924,000 to support renovations to the State Veterans Home in Collins and another $425,685 for building systems renovations at the home in Jackson. The two grant awards were made through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

“These funds are intended to improve the living conditions for veterans and their families who rely on these State Veterans Homes for care,” Cochran said. “I am pleased the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has approved these funding awards.”

Cochran is vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee that in July produced a FY2012 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill (HR.2055) that provides $128 billion for the VA, including a $2.6 billion increase for the VHA. This measure has been approved by the full Senate.

There are Veterans Homes in Mississippi, including facilities in Jackson, Collins, Oxford, Pearl, and Kosciusko. In addition, the VA administers the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport. Nationwide, the VHA operates 152 hospitals, 109 VA residential rehabilitation treatment programs, 133 nursing homes and 992 outpatient clinics.

More than 205,000 veterans resided in Mississippi in FY2010, according the VA.

Contact:
Chris Gallegos
(202) 224-5054