Pocono News Section

Proposed Veteran's Home Update

Proposed Veteran's Home Update - Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 10:20PM EST

Thursday, Sep 4, 2008 @ 10:20pm EST
LUZERNE COUNTY- The NEPA Vets Center steering committee is eyeing part of Valley Crest Nursing home as a possible location.
Sam Greenburg, of the
NEPA Vets Center Committee "Hopefully we're looking for a either positive or negative answer in the very near future so we can know exactly where we are going."
The steering committee hopes the center is going to help nearly 200 homeless vets in our area.
The proposed shelter would provide emergency shelter, and lead vets to the right treatment.
Specifically for post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
County leaders say they're not prepared to sign over the Valley Crest building just yet.
Stephen Urban, Luzerne County Commissioner "We would be glad to assist them if that building were not available in helping find another building to meet the needs of homeless veterans."
Part of Valley Crest will be vacant, possibly by next year.
A because a new nursing home is being built on neighboring property.
Right now, the county is doing a space study on Valley Crest, looking for it's best use.
Commissioner Urban adds "We're very sensitive to the needs not only of veterans but of all homeless people."
Urban says an empty Valley Crest could be used for county human services.
Bureau of Aging, Mental Health, and Children and Youth could run out of the building.
Greenburg notes
"We do understand what the situation is but right now we feel time is of the essence."
The steering committee says the amount of Iraq and Afghanistan vets coming back isn't slowing.
Treating their needs isn't going away.