LEBANON – The Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs announced on April 15 that the agency will build a second Veterans’ Home in Linn County at a site in Lebanon contingent upon local matching funds.
 
Originally slated to be a 250-bed facility, the site evaluation committee recommended that the second veterans’ home be 100-150 beds and that a third veterans’ home be built in Roseburg to cover Oregon’s southwestern region. ODVA will need legislative approval to build a third veterans’ home.
 
“The site evaluation committee did painstaking work, visiting each of the five sites and reviewing the excellent proposals that were submitted,” Director Jim Willis said. “While all the sites were outstanding, Linn County’s proposal rose to the top and we are excited to work with the community to build the second veterans’ home.”
 
The site evaluation committee, consisting of ODVA employees and outside experts, considered a variety of criteria for locating the new home. When reviewing Oregon’s veteran population demographics, the committee recognized the need to adjust its original plan by right-sizing the second veterans’ home and planning for a third in Roseburg to cover Oregon’s southwestern region.
 
“I believe the committee’s proposal is the best plan to meet veterans’ needs,” Willis said. “We will begin working with the Legislature immediately to gain approval for a third home.”
 
ODVA also received proposals from Douglas County, Jackson County, Klamath County and Coquille.
 
“The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has told us that Oregon needs 800 skilled-nursing beds for veterans in this state. Oregon has one veterans’ home in The Dalles with 151 beds,” Willis explained.
 
“We are committed to ensuring that we meet the needs of our senior veterans and will continue to partner with the Legislature and communities for the care of Oregon veterans.”