• Nov 26, 2024
  • 2:07 AM

The New Northern Nevada State Veterans Home and why it’s needed


*There are an estimated 80,000 veterans living in northern Nevada. 
 
*There is a 180-bed state veterans home located in Boulder City, Nevada. It is at capacity. Nevada has 180 skilled care beds available for a population of 95,000 Nevada veterans age 65 and older.  
 
*There is no corresponding facility, or State Veterans Home in northern Nevada.  
 
*Currently, many northern Nevada veterans in need of skilled care are sent out of state. 
 
*This takes them away from their families, support network, and familiar surroundings at a time they need it most.  
 
*The Northern Nevada State Veterans Home is 15 years in the making!  
 
Background on the funding of the home 
 
*In 2006, the State submitted a grant application to the VA. It was approved.  
 
*In 2009, that approval from the VA was confirmed again, placing Nevada on the VA’s approved new nursing home construction project list.  
 
*To move up on the list required a 35% state match ($14.1 million) 
 
*On the federal level, the VA would provide 65% of the funding ($35-million) 
 
*Total construction cost is $47-million. When Nevada reaches the top of the federal waiting list, the state anticipates it will be reimbursed for the building expenses, and residents’ payments would eventually cover operating costs. 
 
Information on the home  
 
*The new NNVH will accommodate 96 veterans, spouses, and Gold Star parents. (96-beds) 
 
* It will be built on state owned property near the northern Nevada Mental Health facilities, at the intersection of Kietzke Lane and Galletti Way, Sparks. The new address will be 2 Kietzke Lane, Sparks, NV. 
 
*As the Governor mentioned, the timeline for construction is aggressive going from sagebrush to service in 14-18 months with an anticipated completion date in December 2018.  
 
Information about Admission: For those who want to know about admission to the new facility once it is complete and open, contact Wendy Simons, Deputy Director of Wellness for the Nevada Department of Veterans Services at 775-825-9751.  
 
Legislative Background:  
 
During the 77th session (2013), Governor Sandoval recommended, and the Legislature passed, a bill (AB 505) to begin the design phase and planning for the construction. A needs assessment was conducted in April of 2014, substantiating the importance of the development of a northern Nevada Veterans Home.  
 
The Nevada Department of Public Works initiated the preliminary schematic drawings for the project. Subject matter experts were engaged in the new innovative design which is non-institutional and residential in nature yet it includes the supportive services required in a skilled nursing setting. It is the Community Living Center concept, embraced by the VA.  
 
In 2015, The Governor included the state match funding in his Budget presentation with strong support from many stakeholders. Legislative approval was granted June 1, 2015. Nevada advanced on the approved project list for a new Veterans Home from the Federal Veterans Administration on December 2015. This state match is a requirement of the grant program to move up on the Priority List for funding. As a result of this state funding, Nevada advanced to Priority Group 1 status. 
 
In the 2017 Legislative Session, the Governor put in his budget an item that would advance the funding by the state in order to expedite the construction of the Home. The Governor has said the need is now. Also, this avoids the annual increase in construction costs while awaiting the federal funds from the VA and will save the state $1-$2 million in additional construction inflation per year if Nevada continues to wait.