Resident Application Process Begins Sept. 15
7/18/2022 9:00:00 AM
Construction remains on schedule as MDVA prepares for a mid-2023 opening of new Veterans Homes currently underway in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston. During June, MDVA leaders visited the three communities and updated area leaders and stakeholders on not only construction progress, but the upcoming Resident application process and future employment opportunities.
MDVA hosted groundbreaking events in August 2021 and construction began last September. Currently, Bemidji is 37 percent completed, Montevideo is 41 percent done, and Preston is 44 percent finished. Homes are scheduled to open as planned in mid-2023.
A comprehensive and first-ever Veterans omnibus bill, passed during the 2022 Legislative session, provides additional funding of $10.3 million in FY22 and $16.5 million in FY23 - a significant capital investment for the design, construction, furnishing and equipping of these Homes.
MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke recognized the tremendous support, both in the Legislature and in the three individual communities, for the work being done to benefit Veterans. “I’ve heard Legislators say this type of project has brought them more joy than most other projects they’ve worked on and local advocates express excitement for the ability to serve those who have served. We can’t wait to open our door,” he said.
Resident admission applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 15, 2022, at 8 a.m. MDVA will not accept any early applications so there is currently no waiting list. Starting September 15, potential Residents or families are encouraged to submit complete application packets as soon as possible, as eligible Residents are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents will be admitted in phases, and only a small number will be admitted until after the Home is approved by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs inspection.
Resident eligibility includes the need for skilled nursing care and status as an honorably discharged Veteran. County Veterans Service Officers are available to assist with the application process. More information will also be posted soon at
The number of Residents per location will dictate the number of employees needed to deliver care. Bemidji and Montevideo will each serve 72 Residents; these two locations are planning to hire 164 full- and part-time staff. Preston will be serving 54 Residents and is seeking to fill 115 full- and part-time positions.
By the end of 2022, MDVA will hire the three Home Administrators; other leadership roles will be filled soon after. For employment inquiries, email NewHomesJobs@state.mn.us.
Volunteers are an essential part of our Homes’ heart and soul. The new Homes will offer volunteer opportunities in group settings as well as 1:1, outdoor and special event support. Each campus will hire a Volunteer Coordinator in spring 2023. In the interim, contact Simone Hogan, Senior Director of Veterans Healthcare, at Simone.Hogan@state.mn.us with any questions. Volunteer applications will be added soon to the MDVA website at /mdva/homes/index.jspMinnesotaVeteran.org/Homes.
Residents at all three campuses will enjoy private rooms and private baths split into separate sections and small “neighborhoods,” avoiding long institutional-feeling hallways. Each Home’s design will incorporate a significant amount of natural light and materials such as wood and stone as well as offer expansive courtyard spaces. Public areas include a Town Center featuring a small coffee shop/cafe, theater/ meeting room, family dining room, meditation room/chapel, and club room. Due to a generous private donation, the Montevideo Home will also include a large Community Room available for public meetings and events.
Veterans Homes benefit greatly from donations! These funds support everything from arts and crafts supplies and Resident wi-fi and cable services to outdoor amenities and personal items to help Residents adjust to their new living space. Online donations are welcome at /mdva/donate/index.jspMinnesotaVeteran.org/Donate. To learn more, contact Simone Hogan, Senior Director of Veterans Healthcare at Simone.Hogan@state.mn.us.
Douglas Hughes, MDVA Deputy Commissioner - Veterans Healthcare, shares that Minnesota’s Veterans Homes have been consistently recognized for providing the highest quality experience. “The Minneapolis Veterans Home was named one of America’s top nursing homes by Newsweek magazine earlier this year, and the Silver Bay Veterans Home just received its second VA survey results citing zero deficiencies in 2022,” he said. “This is the kind of quality you can expect at the three new Veterans Homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston.”
Each community hosted an information session targeted to local businesses interested in serving the soon-to-opened Veterans Homes as well as other State of Minnesota agencies. The Minnesota Department of Administration shared several programs that support small businesses and assist them in establishing their businesses with the State as a buyer of goods and services. For more information, please visit the Office of Equity in Procurement.
