Pennsylvania DMVA to Make Housing Changes at Southeastern Veterans Center

Modular Units to Close; 67 Residents to be Relocated

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Brig. Gen. (PA) Michael G. Gould, deputy adjutant general for veterans affairs, today announced that the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City will stop using modular housing units in mid-November due to safety concerns.

"These units, built in 1975, have simply reached the end of their useful life," said Gen. Gould. "An engineering analysis raised concern about whether the units could withstand another winter. With safety for the 67 veterans who reside in the modular units as our primary concern, I have ordered the units closed by Nov. 14."

Several residents are eligible for admission into the Nursing Care Unit at SEVC. Other residents, according to their wishes, will be offered a transfer to the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home in Blair County, the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie County or an appropriate facility in the Spring City area.

"This is a temporary measure, as we anticipate moving residents back into the Personal Care Units of SEVC after the completion of the new 120-bed Nursing Care Unit, and the subsequent renovations to Coates Hall," Gould added.

In July, DMVA broke ground for a new $41.2 million, 140,000-square foot addition at the Southeastern Veterans Center. Construction is estimated to be complete in 2013.

The nine modular buildings were constructed in 1975. They are licensed as Personal Care Homes under the Department of Public Welfare, and certified by the federal Veterans' Administration as part of the State Veterans' Home program. Seven of the units are occupied by residents; one is a woodshop; and one serves as a clothing storage room and clinic.

Media contact: Joan Z. Nissley, 717-861-8720

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs