WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that Iowa has received a $29,044,362 competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through the State Veterans Home Grant program. The program provides up to 65 percent of the cost of construction or acquisition of state nursing homes or domicilaries or for renovations to existing state veterans homes.
"The Iowa Veterans Home has a plan in place to improve the quality of life for those who have proudly served our country," Grassley said. "These funds will help them continue to provide the services our veterans need in a way that is deserving and honoring of our nation's finest."
The money will help fund the cost of the Sheeler and Loftus Building replacement project at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. This is part of the Iowa Veterans home master plan to design and construct new buildings to facilitate a shift from an institutional environment to a home-like atmosphere. The new facilities will focus on "person centered care" which should improve veteran's quality of life by providing private bedrooms and baths, access to natural light, temperature controls in each bedroom, and direct access to the exterior at ground level for ease in mobility.
The Iowa Veterans Home is one of the three largest state-owned facilities for veterans in the country. It is home to more than 720 residents.