Georgia officials: renovate legacy veterans homes or build new 120‑bed facilities to meet demand
February 19, 2026 | 2026 Legislature Georgia, Georgia
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Commissioner Trish Ross outlined the state’s veterans‑home capacity shortfalls, inspection results and renovation choices, and urged lawmakers to consider options that align with VA grant rules.
Ross described inspections at state facilities (Milledgeville and Augusta), reporting Joint Commission recognition, deficiency‑free surveys and nursing‑hour metrics that exceed state minima (about 5.2 nursing hours per resident day vs. required 3.0). She said Milledgeville’s Russell Building was renovated at a cost of about $17 million and that the facility can hold 232 beds after planned renovations but is funded for only 185 beds today.
On capital needs, Ross estimated roughly $45 million is required to renovate legacy veteran homes to current standards, and said building a new 120‑bed facility would require a state match of about $35 million (the VA would supply the federal portion under its matching model). Ross said a new facility model would be self‑sustaining and could deliver more beds and federal support than renovating aging buildings that reduce capacity.
Ross also identified operational constraints: Milledgeville had 16 funded but vacant beds tied to staffing and contractor onboarding; the Transitional Support Unit (TSU) is operating on state funds until the VA provides certification and matching reimbursements, which Ross said the department expects to occur pending scheduling and government operations.
Members pressed Ross on timing and funding mechanisms (bonds vs. cash), where she said the VA requires a state match by the grant deadline and that capital requests have been submitted through the state’s capital outlay system for future fiscal years.
What’s next: Ross urged legislative consideration of bonding or appropriation options to meet federal deadlines and said the department will continue procurement and onboarding efforts to increase occupancy once renovations and certifications are complete.
Ross described inspections at state facilities (Milledgeville and Augusta), reporting Joint Commission recognition, deficiency‑free surveys and nursing‑hour metrics that exceed state minima (about 5.2 nursing hours per resident day vs. required 3.0). She said Milledgeville’s Russell Building was renovated at a cost of about $17 million and that the facility can hold 232 beds after planned renovations but is funded for only 185 beds today.
On capital needs, Ross estimated roughly $45 million is required to renovate legacy veteran homes to current standards, and said building a new 120‑bed facility would require a state match of about $35 million (the VA would supply the federal portion under its matching model). Ross said a new facility model would be self‑sustaining and could deliver more beds and federal support than renovating aging buildings that reduce capacity.
Ross also identified operational constraints: Milledgeville had 16 funded but vacant beds tied to staffing and contractor onboarding; the Transitional Support Unit (TSU) is operating on state funds until the VA provides certification and matching reimbursements, which Ross said the department expects to occur pending scheduling and government operations.
Members pressed Ross on timing and funding mechanisms (bonds vs. cash), where she said the VA requires a state match by the grant deadline and that capital requests have been submitted through the state’s capital outlay system for future fiscal years.
What’s next: Ross urged legislative consideration of bonding or appropriation options to meet federal deadlines and said the department will continue procurement and onboarding efforts to increase occupancy once renovations and certifications are complete.
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