Ohio plans $183 million modernization of two veterans homes; federal funding shortfall delays full construction

Director Debbie Ashenhurst told the Ohio House Public Safety Committee on Feb. 11 that the Department of Veterans Services requests continued state funding to complete modernization work at the Ohio Veterans Homes in Sandusky and Georgetown, and that a shortfall in available federal appropriations has delayed full construction.

The modernization project pairs a $65,000,000 state investment with a $118,000,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, creating a $183,000,000 project to update both homes. Ashenhurst said state funds have been used to begin design work, secure preliminary approvals and start site preparation while the department waits for federal appropriations to cover the remaining construction costs.

The project focuses on converting multi‑occupancy rooms to single‑occupancy accommodations, improving infection control and updating clinical and living spaces. “The primary objective of this modernization effort is to transition both of those skilled nursing facilities into single occupancy rooms,” Ashenhurst said in testimony.

Ashenhurst, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, described the Sandusky campus as a 99‑acre facility built in 1888 with more than 600 beds that serves wartime veterans across a continuum from independent living to memory care. She testified that the Georgetown home, opened in 2003, has 68 beds. She said the department engaged architectural firms in early 2024, submitted initial designs to the VA over the summer and received federal approval for the projects in October 2024, but that available federal appropriations were insufficient in the first fiscal year to fund full construction.

Committee members pressed Ashenhurst on siting future veterans homes. Representative Willis asked, “Where does that next stage lead us in selecting where the next veteran home goes, and how do we prepare to get that rolling?” Ashenhurst said the department completed a study a few years ago showing veteran population density and potential sites and recommended revisiting and updating that analysis, noting potential interest from northeastern Ohio and a likely need in central Ohio outside Columbus.

On schedule, the department is doing preparatory work at both campuses: Sandusky site preparation and utility infrastructure, and initial structural work at Georgetown. Ashenhurst said the state funds were intentionally spent early to qualify and leverage the larger federal grant and to reduce delay once federal appropriations are released.

Committee members also asked about timelines. Sean McCarthy, identified in testimony as the department’s project lead, estimated that construction would take about two years from the date federal funding is available.

Ashenhurst emphasized the share of the department budget tied to the homes: she said nearly 90% of the requested budget supports the two Ohio Veterans Homes and that the department’s remaining programs focus on workforce, county veteran service training and outreach. She also cited external recognition: she told the committee the two homes were ranked among the state’s top nursing homes in a 2024 Newsweek evaluation.

Ashenhurst closed by thanking the committee and welcoming questions as the department continues design and preparatory site work while awaiting appropriations.

The committee did not take a vote on the projects during the hearing; Ashenhurst described ongoing preparatory work and asked the legislature to sustain state support as federal funds are finalized.