Artistic render of the proposed long-term care facility for veterans in Genesee County.
Genesee County is moving forward with plans to establish a long-term care facility for veterans in the Flint area. The initiative, supported by the county Board of Commissioners and the Department of Veterans Services, aims to address the needs of the local veteran population of approximately 24,500. Alongside this project, the Sacred Heart Veteran Village is being developed to provide transitional housing for homeless veterans. These initiatives highlight a strong commitment to improving veteran services and quality of life in the region.
Genesee County is taking steps to create a new long-term care facility for veterans in the Flint area. The county Board of Commissioners is currently working with the Department of Veterans Services to gather information and identify suitable locations for this crucial initiative.
During a committee meeting held on May 7, the Director of Veterans Services, Derrick L. Britton, provided an update on the project’s progress. Depending on the data collected, the county’s lobbyist and state legislative delegation may push for a local site for the new facility. This development is particularly significant for Genesee County, which is home to approximately 24,500 veterans, making it the fifth-largest veteran population in Michigan.
County Chair Delrico Loyd emphasized the importance of establishing a veteran care facility within the county. The initiative aligns with the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority’s strategic plan, which identifies the expansion of veteran care facilities in either Wayne County or the Flint and Saginaw regions.
The Michigan Veteran Homes aims to ensure that 95% of Michigan residents have access to veteran services within a 75-mile radius of their homes by 2031. Currently, there are three state facilities available across Michigan, located in Grand Rapids, Marquette, and Chesterfield Township. The Chesterfield Township facility opened in 2021 and was developed on a former military housing site, costing $76.5 million with significant federal and state funding.
The move to establish a veterans’ home in Genesee County has taken on urgency following Britton’s appointment as the director of the county’s Department of Veterans Services in June 2023. The department, operational since 1975, has continually supported veterans and their families in accessing benefits and services.
In addition to the proposed long-term care facility, Genesee County is also witnessing the development of the Sacred Heart Veteran Village. This initiative, led by Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, focuses on transitional housing for homeless veterans. The groundbreaking for this project occurred on November 19, with a budget of $5 million aimed at not only providing shelter but also a pathway to stability and independence for unhoused veterans.
The initial phase of the Sacred Heart Veteran Village will include a 5,000-square-foot Veterans Resource Center and four single-residence bungalows, with an expected completion date set for summer 2025. Phase 2 of the project will introduce an additional 22 bungalows, set for completion by fall 2026. All housing units will be built in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, with some bungalows measuring approximately 280 square feet, while others will be closer to 400 square feet.
The village project also emphasizes community engagement, with local high school students participating in construction efforts and local organizations contributing support. This focus on addressing veteran homelessness through evidence-based practices aims to create a supportive environment tailored to the unique needs of veterans.
As Genesee County progresses with the establishment of veteran care facilities, these initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the lives and well-being of its veteran population.
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