Council adopts resolution supporting construction of Roseburg veterans home and requests federal funding

The Roseburg City Council voted to adopt Resolution 2024‑9, a formal statement supporting construction of an Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) Roseburg Veterans Home and requesting federal funding to make the project viable.

A resident, Neil Hummel, urged the council during public comment to support the resolution, summarizing a multi‑decade local campaign to site a state veterans home in Roseburg and saying the facility would be a roughly 150‑bed skilled nursing facility located on VA grounds that could employ several hundred health‑care workers. "I'm here tonight to ask you to support the resolution," Hummel said.

A council staff presentation and council discussion traced the project’s history, noting that the state previously dedicated a $35 million match as part of SB 5701 and that staff estimated the overall project at about $100 million; staff said an additional federal contribution (cited in discussion as roughly $65 million) would be required for full funding. The staff presenter recommended the council adopt a resolution as a formal record of the city’s support and to request federal assistance.

Councilmember 7 moved to adopt Resolution 2024‑9 and the council approved the motion by voice vote. Staff and council discussed that local and county contributions or SDC deferrals might be requested later as part of the overall financing strategy. Ending: The resolution passed; staff will use it to communicate support to congressional offices and state partners as planning continues.