State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program

The State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under the Construction of State Home Facilities division, offers discretionary funding to state and federally recognized tribal governments for the construction, renovation, or life-safety improvements of State or Tribal Veterans Extended Care Facilities. The initiative aligns with federal mandates to improve care services for veterans and supports the President’s priority to expand access to high-quality long-term care for veterans. The funding authority stems from Assistance Listing Number 64.005, “Grants to States for Construction of State Home Facilities.” This program specifically targets projects involving skilled nursing facilities, domiciliary care, and adult day health care centers that are owned and operated by state or tribal governments. Facilities developed through this grant must comply with a range of federal statutes, including the Build America, Buy America Act under Public Law 117-58. This law mandates the use of U.S.-produced construction materials and manufactured goods in federally funded infrastructure projects. The VA will not consider funding proposals that violate immigration law, use discriminatory eligibility criteria, or promote ideologies that contradict federal regulations, such as gender ideology or racial preferences. Funding awards may cover up to 65% of the total cost of eligible projects. For the current cycle, the maximum individual award is set at $275 million, with a minimum of $260,000. Applications must be comprehensive and include numerous required components. These include standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424C, SF-424D), project scope, budget justifications, needs assessments, schematic designs, certifications, and, for certain types of construction, evidence of anticipated occupancy and space planning analysis. Special documentation is required depending on whether the project is categorized as new construction, adult day health care, bed replacement, or a life safety renovation. Submission is executed initially via Grants.gov for first-time applicants, and applications must be received by April 15 to be considered for the next fiscal year’s priority list—in this case, FY 2027. After submission through Grants.gov, the program staff will provide applicants with a project-specific page on MAX.gov to upload additional required items. Grants.gov is used solely for the initial submission, and applicants are advised to contact the Program Office for assistance or clarification before applying. Contact should be directed to the official inbox: [email protected]. Applications are currently accepted on a rolling basis. However, for inclusion on the annual Priority List, the full initial application must be submitted by the April 15 deadline of each year. This setup supports recurring annual submissions and provides a clear timeline for planning. No pre-application elements such as Letters of Intent are required, but applicants must strictly follow the checklist of documentation depending on the type of project. The VA also reserves the right to reject applications that do not align with federal priorities or that may reflect poorly on the agency or the federal government. The VA outlines clear compliance expectations and award conditions. These include adherence to Buy America standards, maintaining ethical conduct, and avoiding scandalous behavior or misuse of funds. Awards are subject to federal oversight and are given with the intent to improve veteran services, promote safety, and enhance the infrastructure for long-term and adult day care. The grants are critical in helping states and tribes meet the growing needs of their veteran populations, ensuring dignified and quality care in state-supported facilities.