Georgia commissioner urges state match to leverage VA funding for new veteran homes

Commissioner Trish Ross told a joint legislative veterans committee that Georgia’s war veterans homes face significant capital and renovation needs and urged the legislature to consider using state match funding to leverage federal VA construction grants.

Ross said older campus facilities at Milledgeville and Augusta require renovation or replacement. She presented estimated costs: renovating the Vincent Building would be “almost $7,000,000,” finishing work on the wood building about $3,000,000, and a full renovation/asbestos abatement for the Augusta home would require about $35,000,000 in state match. Ross summarized total renovation needs at roughly $45,000,000.

Ross outlined an alternate model used by other states: a new, VA‑aligned 120‑bed facility with architectural specs and a federal match. “If we build a new facility, it's $35,000,000 in state funding, because it's a 35 percent match… The VA would put up $65,000,000,” she said, describing that approach as a potentially self‑sustaining model because federal reimbursements and a revenue‑sharing contractor model can reduce long‑term state operating costs.

Timing and budget considerations
Ross told members the VA’s grant cycle sets submission deadlines (she referenced an April 15 submission deadline) and said the state match must be in place by January to qualify for the federal match. She said bond financing could be an option for the state match but the Appropriations Committee would need to weigh that approach.

Capacity and policy implications
Ross said Georgia’s data point to roughly 1,500 total needed beds and described 120 beds as an ideal facility size — “over 10 new facilities is what we need,” she said — while also noting that renovating legacy facilities yields fewer net beds. She argued a new facility model can be cost‑effective over time compared with continuing to operate old, state‑funded facilities that require ongoing state support.

Next steps
Ross said the department placed a capital request in the state capital outlay (bond) system for FY28 and is prepared to work with the legislature on design, match mechanisms and procurement. Committee members asked for more details on programmed renovation budgets and timing; Ross said she had requested the funds again and that the Appropriations process will determine final placement.