State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program

The State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, supports the construction and renovation of state and tribal government-owned extended care facilities for veterans. This federal grant opportunity is rooted in the VA’s broader mission to enhance healthcare infrastructure and access for eligible veterans through the development of skilled nursing, domiciliary, and adult day health care facilities. The grant program aligns with the federal mandate to ensure veterans receive high-quality care in well-equipped, modern environments tailored to their unique healthcare needs. Under this discretionary funding opportunity, only state and federally recognized tribal governments are eligible to apply. The program excludes all private, religious, nonprofit, or individual applicants. This strict eligibility scope is designed to channel federal resources toward public sector-operated facilities that directly serve veterans. Applicants must demonstrate full state or tribal ownership and operational control of the facility, and grant requests must be made by a designated government official. Additionally, the title to the facility land must be vested in the state or tribe, and pre-approval from the VA of final working drawings and specifications is mandatory before placing the project on the market for bidding. Grants cover up to 65% of total project costs, with the remaining 35% funded by the applicant. The funding may be used for both new construction and renovation projects, including upgrades to address life safety issues and the creation of new beds or adult day health care programs. The program does not fund retroactive approvals and is subject to the Build America, Buy America Act, requiring all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project to be domestically produced. Items not affixed to the infrastructure—such as equipment and furnishings—are excluded from this domestic sourcing requirement. To be included in the FY 2027 Priority List, initial applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026, through Grants.gov. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but only those received by this date will be considered for priority listing. Once an initial application is submitted, the applicant will receive confirmation via Grants.gov and a follow-up email from VA Program Staff with further instructions, including an FAI number and access to the relevant project page on MAX.gov. For Adult Day Health Care, New Home Construction, or Bed Replacement grants, applicants must submit all 13 items listed in Section A of the project checklist. Renovation or Life Safety project applications require only items A.1 to A.7. In compliance with Executive Order 14332, the VA retains discretion to exclude applicants whose proposed projects do not align with the President’s or VA’s priorities. Proposals that use racial preferences in eligibility criteria, promote gender ideology, facilitate violations of immigration law, or involve misconduct will not be funded. Furthermore, the proposed facility must have a projected lifespan of at least 20 years, with a 50-year life span recommended. Program decisions are also governed by 38 CFR Part 59 and applicants must ensure compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations. Program inquiries and requests for clarification can be directed to the VA's State Home Construction Grant Program at [email protected]. While the application portal is Grants.gov, ongoing communication, post-submission uploads, and additional documentation are handled via MAX.gov. The program’s commitment to infrastructure integrity, fiscal responsibility, and enhanced care for veterans is evident in its rigorous eligibility standards, application requirements, and evaluation criteria.