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Memphis veterans transition center seeks $3.2 million as federal grant hangs in balance
Summary
Representative Fritz asked the committee for $3.2 million for a Memphis homeless‑veterans transition center, saying a prior $2 million federal grant supports required building upgrades but could be withdrawn without state matching funds to complete conversion from dormitories to individual rooms.
Representative Fritz told the committee she is seeking $3,200,000 for the Bering Heights (a homeless‑veterans transition center) in Memphis, which she said provides roughly 27% of the city's available beds for veterans. "This will help put beds back into place," she said, framing the request as necessary to finish construction and comply with federal requirements.
Fritz said the facility received a $2,000,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to move from dormitory‑style housing to individual rooms. She told the committee the federal money has not yet been pulled back but warned it could be if the conversion is not completed. "They have not lost the $2,000,000 yet," she said in response to questioning, adding the $3.2 million would cover needed building modifications.
Committee members asked whether the shortfall was operational or tied to construction; Fritz said the funds are for building modifications and finishing construction. She also said outreach to the federal delegation to secure additional federal support had not produced matching dollars to date.
Because the session was informational, no committee action was taken on the request. If committee members choose to forward the appropriation in the budget process, further documentation about the VA grant conditions and construction timeline would be needed.
